Bio
Associate Dean Betina Cutaia Wilkinson is an Associate Professor of the Politics and International Affairs at Wake Forest University. Prior to joining the Dean’s Office, Dr. Wilkinson served as Associate Chair of the Department of Politics and International Affairs since 2020, where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in faculty mentorship, departmental culture-building, and advancing inclusive initiatives. Her commitment to mentoring junior faculty and students was recognized with the URECA Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentorship in 2022 and the American Political Science Association’s Adaljiza Sosa-Riddell Mentoring Award in 2025. Her scholarship focuses on racial and ethnic politics, and her book Partners or Rivals? Power and Latino, Black and White Relations in the 21st Century (University of Virginia Press, 2015) won the APSA Best Book Award on Inter-Race Relations in the United States. Dr. Wilkinson is a nationally recognized voice in conversations about faculty development and belonging. She serves as Co-Editor of PS: Political Science & Politics; is a member of the APSA Council; and founded the Wake Forest University Race Inequality and Policy Initiative (RIPI), which brings distinguished scholars to campus and fosters intellectual exchange on critical race and policy topics.
In her administrative role, Wilkinson oversees faculty recruitment, retention, and professional development.
Contact the Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Belonging for information on the following:
- Oversee and provide guidance/training for faculty and Chairs regarding recruitment and hiring processes
- Interviews all job candidates for permanent faculty positions
- Holistic Assessment of Teaching Initiative
- Coordinates special faculty development opportunities
Primary AD Contact for:
- French Studies
- Music
- Philosophy
- Study of Religions