Professor, Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives

As Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Dr. Kim Kidwell assists the Chancellor with the strategic development of high-priority, high-impact, multi-stakeholder initiatives for the University. She provides leadership in pursuing resources and developing new and sustained partnerships with academic institutions, foundations, federal and state agencies, alumni, and the private sector. These collaborations are designed to better position the University to lead scientific discoveries and innovations that will inspire and empower tomorrow’s sustainable food, agriculture, nutrition, and health systems.

Dr. Kidwell previously served as the Dean and the inaugural Robert A. Easter Chair in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is a proud alumna of ACES where she earned bachelor’s degrees in both genetics and development and agriculture science. She received her master’s and Ph.D. degrees in plant breeding and plant genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She previously held the role of executive associate dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences at Washington State University. She is a nationally respected scholar and award-winning teacher. She also is an accomplished spring wheat breeder, developing more than 20 wheat varieties for Washington State farmers. Her research led to multiple patented discoveries and addressed genetic aspects of wheat improvement. Dr. Kidwell’s goals are to improve student learning; drive sound, innovative research; and cultivate external partnerships to improve the lives and livelihoods of people in Illinois and beyond.