When Wanda Costen came to the Smith School of Business in 2021, she was the only Black faculty member.
The first Black dean in Queen’s history, Costen stands firm in her vision of broadening access to a Smith education while maintaining the school’s academic rigour.
“To my knowledge, I’m the first Black dean in the history of Queen’s. My mere presence is disruptive to some people,” Costen said in a statement to The Journal.
Costen is proud of the enhanced feeling of community she’s been part of creating at Smith. As a believer in impact, she hopes the campus community sees her as someone who is deeply committed to students and preparing them to take on the world’s greatest challenges regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.
“It’s only when people can be their authentic selves they can perform at their best,” Costen said.
Born into a military family from the Northeast, but growing up around the United States and in , Costen started her career as a platoon leader and military police officer in the US. A former NCAA volleyball player at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Costen’s class was the 7th to it women.
She went on to hold management roles at companies such as Pepsi for a decade, and was a dean at MacEwan University. Her mantra as an academic leader is transparency, fairness, and equity.
Being at Queen’s has helped Costen see the importance of courageous leadership. Courage is something Costen saw in her maternal grandmother, who emigrated to New York to escape Jim Crow laws, according to Women of Influence.
Costen’s current role model is her own best self. She describes her best self as having deep empathy for others and readily accepting . As a leader, Costen challenges herself to stands up for what is right, even if it might come at a personal cost.
Many people have shaped Costen on her journey to Smith. Costen told RBC’s Black Elevator Podcast at the beginning of her career, she had a boss who told her she had what it took to be a CEO, the challenge was going to be making everyone comfortable enough to be invited into the room. The comment resonated with Costen because it “showed her the ropes.”
Adopting her son when he was six transformed Costen.
“Being able to and challenge him, despite the extremely difficult situation into which he was born, taught me about deep love, the importance of advocacy, and how providing someone with resources, experiences, and encouragement can lead a person to accomplish things they never thought they could,” Costen said.
She shares the same message with students. Black students at Smith shouldn’t doubt they belong at Queen’s, Costen said. All students can do is their best, and “some days your best might be 60, 80, or 95 per cent.”
“Do the best you can, with what you have from where you are, and watch what happens!” Costen added.
Looking forward, Costen is proud of the Smith School of Business and its students, calling their strategic plan outside the norm. All students should have the resources and they need to succeed. She hopes the values highlighted during Black History Month extend beyond February.
“While we celebrate the contributions of Black people this month, there is measurable evidence of our value to society throughout the year,” Costen said. “If you look for us, you will see us!”
Corrections
A previous version of this story incorrectly said Dean Costen was born into a Northwestern family and was member of the 10th West Point class to it women. The story has been updated to reflect the correct facts. Incorrect information appeared in the Feb. 16 issue of The Queen’s Journal.
The Journal regrets the error
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