The Western Illinois University College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) has named Tammy Killian as the Interim Associate Dean, effective immediately.
Killian currently serves as chair and professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance. A native of Alabama, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre/Art from Birmingham- Southern College and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting/Theatre from Florida Atlantic University.
At WIU, Killian has produced more than 100 productions for Theatre & Dance and Summer-Stage, helped establish the Stage Combat minor and Playwriting program and received the William E. Brattain Distinguished Service Award from the Performing Arts Society in 2024.
“I’m honored and excited to step into the role of Interim Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication,” Killian said. “It’s an incredible time to be part of WIU, especially with the energy surrounding the completion of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts — a milestone that promises to enrich our creative community in profound ways. Over time, the students, faculty and staff at WIU have truly become my people and having the opportunity to serve and support them in this capacity is not only a privilege, but the realization of a lifelong dream.
“Billy would be so happy to see me fulfill this dream. He believed in me more than anyone ever has and I carry his unwavering support with me every step of the way. I want to make him proud as we continue to move forward — and ever up.”
Killian’s past appointments include serving as the Howard and Eloise Mulder Endowed Chair of the Arts at Louisiana State University – Alexandria and as a faculty member at the University of Montevallo, where she received the Distinguished Teacher Award from the College of Fine Arts. She has also held leadership roles at Louisiana College, where she served as Artistic Director and Professor and was a past president of The Alabama Conference of Theatres.
In addition to her teaching and leadership, Killian is an accomplished playwright. Her work has been staged nationally and published in the “Disparate Voices: Spectral Sisters Short Play Anthology.”
For more information about the COFAC, visit wiu. edu/cofac.
