Mildred Barnes Griggs: A Legacy of Possibilities

Dr. Mildred Griggs passed away on July 28, 2025, leaving behind her a profound legacy of service, leadership, and social justice. As the College of Education mourns her loss, Dr. Griggs' impact is reflected through the words of several branches of her extensive "academic family tree", below: 

Eboni Zamani-Gallaher, dean, University of Pittsburgh School of Education

"I have profound gratitude for the imprint of Dr. Mildred Barnes Griggs on my professional and personal life. I was enrolled at Illinois fall 1995 to spring 2000. It was affirming to see my reflection in the leader at the helm of the College of Education. As the first Black faculty member to rise through the ranks from assistant professor to full professor and the first Black woman to serve as dean of a college on campus, she achieved historic milestones but also redefined what was possible for those of us who followed. 

For countless students, her presence signified both representation and possibility. For Black students especially, she was a profound source of pride—an enduring reminder that excellence and leadership is in our DNA. But for me, her significance was never just in those historic firsts. She was a model I carried with me through various stages of my journey. When I initially thought about what a college dean looked like, it was her. When I questioned whether I was capable of stepping into leadership myself, it was her example that answered that question for me. She showed me, simply by walking her path, that I too could belong in these spaces. 

Violet Harris, professor emerita, Curriculum & Instruction

"A small cadre of Black women faculty at Illinois considered Dr. Mildred Barnes Griggs our personal role model. I am certain women of other races did also; possibly some men as well. We drew upon her strength. She represented our professional goals and we sought her guidance as we navigated third year and tenure reviews. We took inspiration and solace from her in myriad ways. Her erect posture symbolized an unbowed will that weathered all manner of professional challenges with grace and tenacity. We embraced that way of being and held steadfast to the heritage it embodied. Hired directly after completing her doctoral research, she rose through the academic ranks to become a full professor and dean, College of Education. We fervently believed that we could earn similar achievements. Because she blazed a trail for us to follow.

Her professional advice allowed us to enter spaces that were sometimes welcoming, other times not. Always, she encouraged us to understand the contexts in which we found ourselves, the individuals with whom we interacted, and the goals we were determined to complete. The strategies she shared became a firm foundation for our academic journeys. She celebrated our professional achievements and encouraged us to excel in other domains, e.g. professional organizations, as she had.

Apparently, Dr. Griggs perceived something within me that suggested an ability to lead. I did not aspire to an administrative position. In fact, I resisted her request to serve as department head of Curriculum & Instruction. Dr. Griggs did not accept my 'no.'  She gave me 24 hours to accept. I accepted the position with the caveats that she allowed me to shadow and speak with various College and campus administrators and attend seminars on leadership. Importantly, I wanted regular access to her for guidance and evaluation. My success would be more likely if I could draw upon her knowledge and experiences. She accepted my requests and I served a five-year term. She appointed several women to administrative positions within the College of Education, thus positioning the College as a model of women’s leadership." 

Denice Hood, teaching professor emerita, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership

"Professionally, I learned how to be a professor from observing Mildred: a Black woman professor. There were little things I remember, like she always kept a small mirror on the wall behind her office door. She would make a quick check before heading out to a meeting or class. I adopted this practice, and it served me well for decades so I could make sure I didn’t appear with my slip showing or salad from lunch in my teeth.

Mildred was a brilliant scholar and a deft administrator. I watched her in meetings, noting her demeanor, how she listened, what she said, and what she did not say. These lessons never left me over my career. I could barely keep a house plant alive in my little apartment and I was in awe of Mildred as a professor, community leader, wife, mother...she was a force of nature. 

What I most remember was her care, concern, and the time she took to support students from all over campus. EVERYONE knew Dr. Griggs. For Mildred, food was love and she fed us on the regular. Her biscuits were legendary and despite my best efforts with her recipe, I have never been able to replicate those biscuits. I will always admire, respect and love Mildred."

Susan Fowler, former dean, professor emerita, Special Education

“I had the honor of being asked by Mildred to serve as associate dean for academic affairs when she became dean in 2005. My first response was to decline, but she persisted and assured me that I could balance this half-time 'job' with my role as a mother of a three-year-old child and my ongoing grant writing and research roles! I said yes and never regretted it. She was a strong supporter and firm believer in the capacity of women to achieve their goals and to have dreams for the future.

Her commitment to fairness was a model for me and her ability to look at many sides of an issue, essential for leading a bright and diverse group of faculty. She taught me to never apologize for pursuing my goals and that strong women can also correct others when misunderstood, misrepresented or simply misheard. And that apologizing, when appropriate, has a place in leadership as well. With Mildred’s mentorship I became the next dean of the College of Education at Illinois (2000-06). She was amazing, kind, determined, focused and always resilient. It was an honor to work with her and to follow her.”

Yoon Pak, professor, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership

"I am so grateful to have been hired under Dean Griggs in 1999. While I did not have the fortune of knowing her for an extended period of time, I did know right away that she was someone who embodied characteristics of social justice, advocacy, and fairness in her no-nonsense personality. I truly admired, still admire, her steadfast commitment before, during, and after her time at Illinois.

Former students have relayed to me how they were personally affected by Dr. Griggs in her efforts to support them through undergraduate and graduate school behind the scenes. Faculty revealed how Dean Griggs's empathetic support helped them to navigate the challenges of the professoriate. I am heartened to know that her legacy survives in all facets of life and work on campus."

Kal Alston, professor emerita, Syracuse University

"I was on the faculty in the College of Education for sixteen years, including Mildred Griggs's years as dean. She was a welcoming colleague and role model for me as a new, young Black woman on the faculty. As Dean, she always infused her leadership with grace, discernment, empathy, and a clear work ethic. She encouraged us and had a great heart and ambition for our students. My admiration knows no bounds for her many contributions, and her memory will be a blessing to all of us lucky enough to have known this wise and wonderful woman."

To honor the memory of Dr. Mildred Griggs, we invite you to consider a gift to the College of Education’s Fund for Excellence. Under "Gift Designation" choose "Invest in Our College" and then "College of Education Fund for Excellence." This fund supports the College’s highest priority and initiatives for our programs, faculty, and students. All contributions will be thoughtfully directed to reflect Dr. Grigg's legacy and the values she championed.