Dr. Wanda Costen, Dean

Dr. Wanda Costen, Dean of Smith School of Business, joined the Queen’s University community in July 2021. Dr. Costen is known for being a champion of inclusiveness in business, and her collaborative approach to leadership brings a unique combination of experience in academic leadership, research and teaching, as well as senior management roles in the private and public sector.

Dr. Costen engages and collaborates with community and business leaders, and university faculty, staff, students, and alumni as part of her ongoing commitment to ensuring Smith School of Business research and teaching prepares its graduates to meet society’s changing expectations of business.

Dr. Costen earned a Ph.D. in sociology at Washington State University, an EMBA from Pepperdine University, and Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy, and has undertaken research in areas such as managing diversity, racial and gender inequality in organizations, women and leadership, and strategic human resources. Dr. Costen’s passionate belief that businesses can drive positive social impact has made her a catalyst for partnerships between academia, business and public organizations on diversity initiatives and training programs throughout her career.

Dr. Costen is on the boards of the Kingston Economic Development Corporation, as well as the Business Schools Association of Canada (BSAC).

Meet Dean Costen