May 26, 2026
Posted in: Homepage News, Humanities and Social Sciences, Press Releases, Uncategorized, University
Amy S. Thompson, PhD, has been named Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Montclair State University, effective July 8, 2026.
Thompson will serve as the lead academic and administrative officer for the College, which offers a diverse portfolio of rigorous programs in disciplines including Psychology, English, Political Science and Law, History, Philosophy and Global Cultural Studies.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Thompson to Montclair State University,” says Interim Provost Fatma Mili. “She comes to us with an impressive track record of transformational and collaborative leadership. She approaches each context with passion and intellectual inquisitiveness. I look forward to working with her as she leads the College and solidifies its standing and impact in the University and the community.”
Thompson joins Montclair after serving as the Director of the School of Teacher Education and Mack and Effie Campbell Distinguished Professor at Florida State University. In her role, she was responsible for all aspects of the school, including overseeing more than 200 faculty, staff instructors, graduate students and other employees and managing $17 million in endowed and non-endowed foundation funds.
Previously, she held three different leadership roles at West Virginia University in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences: Inaugural Director of International Relations and Strategic Planning of the college, Founding Co-Director of the English Language Learning Institute and Chair of the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics. She has recently received the Modern Language Association (MLA), Association of Language Departments (ALD) Award for Distinguished Service to the Profession.
A prolific scholar in applied linguistics with more than 55 peer-reviewed publications, books, and a number of national and international invited lectures and workshops, Thompson’s research focuses on multilingualism, language learning, linguistic racism/native-speakerism, women in higher education and higher education leadership.
“I was drawn to Montclair State University and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences because of the clear dedication to promoting student success in practical and innovative ways,” says Thompson. “I was extraordinarily impressed by the faculty, staff, students and leadership during my visit to campus, and I cannot wait to see what we will be able to achieve together.”
Thompson holds a PhD in Second Language Studies and a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Michigan State University.
For more information about the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Montclair State University, visit montclair.edu/chss.
