Allegheny College Announces Appointment of Celia Cook-Huffman, Ph.D., as Provost and Dean of the Faculty

Allegheny College is pleased to announce the appointment of Celia Cook-Huffman, Ph.D., a seasoned academic leader and nationally respected scholar-practitioner in peace and conflict studies, as its next Provost and Dean of the Faculty. Dr. Cook-Huffman brings more than 35 years of experience in higher education, distinguished by her commitment to liberal arts learning, student success, faculty development, inclusive excellence, and the development of vibrant learning communities.

I am particularly excited to work with Allegheny's exceptional faculty and students and look forward to being part of Allegheny's future," said Dr. Cook-Huffman.

The provost and dean of the faculty is the chief academic officer of the College. Cook-Huffman is an accomplished teacher, scholar, and administrator who will be a leader for faculty and a thought partner with the president and cabinet, the Board, and the entire campus. Dr. Cook-Huffman will join a campus emphasizing the liberal arts as a way of studying and knowing the world and dedicated to preparing students for success upon graduation.

Dr. Cook-Huffman most recently served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Manchester University, her alma mater, from 2020 to 2025. During her tenure, she led Manchester through a successful reaccreditation with the Higher Learning Commission and advanced several major academic initiatives.

Dr. Cook-Huffman will work with the faculty and senior administration to assess, renew, and think long-term about the curriculum, foster new programs and innovative pedagogies as needed, and honor Allegheny's commitment to the liberal arts and the skills necessary to prepare students for careers and graduate programs and meaningful lives.

Prior to returning to Manchester, Dr. Cook-Huffman spent three decades on the faculty at Juniata College, where she also served as Associate Director of the Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. As Assistant Provost from 2015 to 2020, she guided multiple campus-wide efforts focused on student retention and success, diversity and inclusion, and the expansion of High-Impact Practices. She also directed QUEST, a partnership integrating academic affairs and student life to ensure every learner has the resources needed to thrive academically and personally.

An interdisciplinary scholar, Dr. Cook-Huffman's academic background blends peace studies, psychology, and specialized training in conflict transformation. Her teaching explores conflict dynamics across interpersonal, organizational, inter-group, and international contexts, emphasizing both the productive and destructive roles of conflict in human communities and the strategies necessary for effective response.

Beyond her campus leadership, Dr. Cook-Huffman has served for more than 30 years as a consultant to public and private organizations, offering expertise in conflict transformation, change management, dispute resolution systems design, leadership development, mediation training, and gender analysis in conflict. Her consulting and training experience spans workplace, church, and educational environments.

Her research interests focus on conflict about social identity, gender and nonviolent social change. Dr. Cook-Huffman has received support from the Fulbright Program and the U.S. Embassy Program on Bicommunal Projects in Cyprus, and she has taught courses through Transcend Peace University and the Institute for Social and European Studies in Szombathely, Hungary. Her professional recognitions include the Juniata Junior Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award (1996) and the Beachley Award for Distinguished Academic Service (2010).

Dr. Cook-Huffman earned her B.A. in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from Manchester College; an M.A. in Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame, where she was an International Scholars Program Fellow; and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Allegheny College President Ron Cole said, "The appointment of Dr. Cook-Huffman marks a significant milestone in Allegheny's academic leadership in support of our exceptional faculty, distinctive curriculum, and student success. Also, we thank our colleague Jennifer Dearden for her steady and committed leadership in her role of Interim Provost and Dean of the Faculty over the last year and a half.

Outside of her professional work, Dr. Cook-Huffman and her husband, Daniel-Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities and Title IX Coordinator at Juniata College-enjoy traveling, gardening, and time with their adult children, Jesse and Grace.

President Cole also noted the work of the search committee. "I also thank the search committee for their efforts in this important process. The committee, formed with representatives recommended by the Faculty Council, SAC, AAC, and the Board of Trustees, was supported by the expertise of Academic Search. I invite all in the Allegheny community to join me in welcoming Dr. Celia Cook-Huffman."