Jilliene McKinstry, Ph.D. Outstanding Colleague

The School of Engineering & Applied Science (SEAS) is proud to recognize Jilliene McKinstry, Ph.D. as the SEAS Outstanding Colleague for March. Jilliene serves in a dual role as Assistant Director for Graduate Programs and Assessment for all programs.

Jilliene provides invaluable guidance to colleagues and serves as an effective liaison to Graduate Enrollment Management (GEM). Drawing on her experience marketing programs to working professionals, she helps us craft targeted materials and communication strategies. She has skillfully coordinated multiple components of the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) graduate program for over 15 years, including identifying and onboarding new adjunct instructors through her strong community relationships and understanding of evolving industry priorities. Over the past year, she has expanded her support to the Master of Engineering Management (MEM) and Data Science M.S. programs, and this spring stepped in to provide essential leadership for MEM in the absence of a Graduate Director.

Jilliene is consistently present, engaged, and collaborative. She brings a positive, caring approach to meetings, shares thoughtful ideas, and tailors solutions to the specific needs of each program through intentional questions and follow-up. She represents diverse perspectives with fairness and is always willing to support colleagues in raising questions or concerns. Her broad knowledge allows her to identify connections that strengthen programs, for example, sharing the T&D student Canvas course with Data Science faculty to support the first M.S. cohort. She has also played a key role in developing print materials and web content for graduate programs, faculty, and students.

Jilliene’s experience is especially evident in her leadership of SEAS assessment efforts within ABET guidelines. Her organization, resilience, and careful attention to regulatory and scheduling requirements keep us focused and well prepared for ABET reviews, including our upcoming six-year accreditation review in Fall 2026. She collaborates closely with our SEAS Safety Coordinator and is a trusted and dependable partner. Above all, Jilliene’s care for SEAS, whether through steady leadership or small gestures of kindness, lifts the entire community. Jilliene is one of the many Gonzaga University staff whose experience is seemingly boundless, she's even a successful, published author and holds a Ph.D. in Criminology (WSU, 2025).

Please join us in congratulating Jilliene McKinstry on this well-deserved recognition.