Holliday named Dean of Graduate Studies, Research and Accountability

July 6, 2026

Dr. Shawn Holliday, dean of graduate studies, research and accountability.

ALVA, Okla. — Northwestern Oklahoma State University is pleased to announce Dr. Shawn Holliday’s promotion to dean of graduate studies, research and accountability.

Holliday served as associate dean of graduate studies for 16 years and chaired the Department of English, Foreign Language, and Humanities for one year. He has taught English at the university level since 1991, beginning his career as a teaching assistant while earning a master's degree in English from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. He later taught at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a doctorate in Literature and Criticism in 1999, and at Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky. During the spring 2005 semester, he also taught at Imperial College in London, England, through the Missouri London program.

In his new role, Holliday will be overseeing all graduate programs, as well as assisting departments with individual accreditation reports, program review reports, low-productivity reports, and post audit reviews. He will also assist in preparing Northwestern’s Higher Learning Commission Institutional assessment reports and promote student and faculty research.

Holliday is most excited about having more influence in helping departments develop rigorous graduate programs and meaningful student experiences, especially in the area of research.

“Serving as the Dean of Graduate Studies, Research, and Accountability is a natural fit for Dr. Holliday, and we are excited to see him in this role,” said Dr. Steve Maier, vice president for academic affairs. “He very knowledgeable in each of these areas, and I look forward to working with him in this expanded capacity at Northwestern.”

Holliday has also worked with many committees and campus organizations, including as chair of the graduate committee, chair of the Oklahoma Research Day executive committee, member of the Institutional Review Board, and member of the Council on Research for Regional Universities for the state of Oklahoma.

He looks forward to furthering his career and serving the university well.

“My 35-year career in higher education has prepared me well for this new position,” Holliday said. “I look forward to serving with enthusiasm and gusto.”

-NW-