Reviving the Legacy of Gwen Ifill at Simmons University
A New Dawn for Media and Humanities Education at Simmons University — Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Through her unwavering coverage of seven presidential campaigns, Gwen Ifill stood as a beacon of truth, fairness, and civility amidst a national political landscape increasingly marred by disinformation, denigration, and disillusionment.
Though she succumbed to cancer at the age of 61 in November 2016, just six days after that year’s pivotal election, the barrier-breaking journalist’s legacy is set to continue illuminating future campaigns. This enduring impact is due to the imminent relaunch of a namesake school dedicated to upholding her ideals.
Opened six years ago at Boston’s Simmons University, Ifill’s alma mater, the school is entering the fall semester with a renewed focus on career readiness. It boasts a new name reflecting an expanded academic portfolio and is under the leadership of a new dean committed to leveraging the strong foundation Ifill built over her illustrious four-decade career.
“Gwen Ifill leaves a transformational legacy, and I look forward to collaboratively shaping a vibrant future for the Ifill School as a leader in communications and liberal arts education,” said Ammina Kothari, a distinguished media scholar newly appointed as dean after a highly competitive national search.
As part of a comprehensive campus-wide overhaul approved by Simmons’ board of trustees late last year, the reimagined Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences will now include several disciplines previously housed in other parts of the university, such as political science, sociology, and international relations. The school’s name has been adjusted to reflect this broader academic scope.
The realignment aims to enhance interdisciplinary learning opportunities and accelerate students’ career pathways. It has also led to the introduction of two new academic programs: an undergraduate major in the humanities and a graduate degree in strategic communications.
Kothari, who began her tenure on August 1, will oversee the implementation of these programs and continue efforts to advance instructional innovation, both in the classroom and through co-curricular activities. She will also focus on faculty and staff development, graduate placement, partnership development, and global engagement.
Previously the director of the Harrington School of Communication and Media at the University of Rhode Island, Kothari has keenly understood higher education’s dual responsibilities: preparing students for their societal roles and advancing society itself.
Kothari, an advocate of experiential learning, has collaborated with local media partners to create a wide range of internships, practicums, and hands-on research labs. She also helped launch a continuing initiative to monitor Rhode Islanders’ evolving policy concerns and priorities. The inaugural Rhode Island Survey, published last October, explored public attitudes toward education, political-media consumption, and the electoral process.
Before her tenure at the University of Rhode Island, Kothari spent a decade at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she served as a program director at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and received RIT’s highest honor for outstanding teaching.
Internationally recognized for her research on journalistic ethics, standards, and practices, Kothari has also conducted data-driven analyses on the roles that artificial intelligence, automation, and social media play in electoral politics, public policymaking, and societal cohesion.
Kothari emphasizes that the technological disruptions leading to social and economic uncertainty present unprecedented challenges and opportunities for today’s students.
Kothari asserts that Simmons’ students are fortunate to have Gwen Ifill as a guiding star. In a political climate characterized by mistrust, polarization, and intolerance, the values that defined Ifill — unwavering commitment to accuracy and objectivity, an understanding of social and historical contexts, and compassion-based policymaking — are more vital than ever.
“During this period of rapid technological innovation and societal disruption, students must develop critical thinking skills, work interdisciplinarily, and engage in research and experiential learning opportunities,” Kothari said. “I am excited to join the Simmons community and develop undergraduate and graduate programs enabling our students to thrive.”
The selection process for Kothari’s appointment was guided by Harris Search Associates, a global executive search firm specializing in higher education leadership. The firm’s founder and managing partner, Jeffrey Harris, noted the unique pressure of finding the right person to lead a school that celebrates the ideals of Gwen Ifill.
“The process felt particularly significant because Gwen Ifill’s career warranted commemoration on a U.S. postage stamp,” Harris said. “The search committee, including Ifill’s brother Roberto ‘Bert’ Ifill, offered invaluable insights. Throughout, we viewed Gwen Ifill not just as a cultural and journalistic icon but as a real human being who overcame racism and chauvinism.”
With a visionary new leader and innovative new degree programs, Harris expressed confidence that the reimagined Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences would continue to produce actionable research, justice-focused thought leadership, and well-rounded graduates essential to society.
Gwen Ifill interviewed by Julian Bond: Explorations in Black Leadership Series