Kittilson named dean of ASU’s College of Global Futures, paving the way for transformational impact to guide our future

Arizona State University has appointed Miki Kittilson as the new dean of the College of Global Futures, a key academic unit within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. As the college’s new leader, Kittilson will play a critical role in shaping how ASU approaches the complex, interconnected challenges facing humanity — from climate change and global inequality to political instability and ecosystem decline.

Kittilson, a first-generation college student and ASU alum, brings a personal commitment to access, inclusion and opportunity. Her experience as a social scientist and her previous leadership roles as associate and vice dean at the college have positioned her to guide it into its next phase of growth and global impact.

“Dean Kittilson’s vision aligns with ASU’s aspiration to build a new kind of college — one that drives global impact at scale,” says Nancy Gonzales, executive vice president and university provost. “She understands the complexity of this challenge and will approach it with a solutions-focused leadership style that will be instrumental in advancing our mission.”

The College of Global Futures operates as the core learning unit of the Global Futures Laboratory — the first university-based initiative of its kind, with a mission to ensure a future of well-being for all life on Earth. The college integrates teaching, research and community engagement across its three interdisciplinary schools: the School of Sustainability, the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and the School of Complex Adaptive Systems. Together, these schools address pressing issues like climate resilience, food and water security, social equity, technological advancement and systems thinking.

Kittilson’s 20-year academic career has centered on how political, economic and social systems shape global outcomes. Her scholarship includes four university press books and numerous articles in top-tier academic journals. Most notably, her coauthored book, “Reimagining the Judiciary: Women’s Representation on High Courts Worldwide” (Oxford University Press, 2022), received the American Political Science Association’s award for best book on law and courts.

“I’m honored to lead a college that is driving change — pushing boundaries, embracing innovation and working every day to build a thriving future for all,” Kittilson says. “We are transforming how knowledge is created, how ideas become action and how we empower future leaders — because the choices we make today shape our futures.”

Peter Schlosser, vice president and vice provost of Global Futures and director of the Global Futures Laboratory, praised her for her collaborative spirit, strategic insight and ability to inspire.

“She is a natural collaborator with a clear vision regarding the potential of the College of Global Futures,” he says. “She also has a unique ability to inspire students and colleagues alike.”

Kittilson has already made a major impact at ASU, having helped launch the Global Futures Impact Scholars program and fostered new approaches to interdisciplinary education and research. As dean, she will continue building on these achievements while expanding the college’s reach and deepening its partnerships both locally and globally.

With her leadership, ASU’s College of Global Futures is poised to be a model of 21st-century education — one where students don’t just learn about global challenges but help solve them.