Joanna Vitiello holds a Ph.D. from the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, which she earned in 2007. Her interests include the history of due process in medieval law, history of evidence and the development of inquisitorial criminal justice. At Rockhurst University, Vitiello teaches courses in medieval and renaissance history, legal history and historiography.

Dr. Vitiello, a tenured full professor in the Department of History, brings to the Interim Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences position a long history with Rockhurst, starting as a faculty member in 2006. During her 18 years at Rockhurst, she has been involved in many areas of the University, including her current role as Chair of the Department of History and the Political Science program, Co-Director of the Wisdom Core, a faculty senator and prior Chair-Elect and Chair of the Senate, service on the Rank and Tenure Committee, the UPBC, the Catholic Studies Committee, the First Year Experience Committee, the Rockhurst University Press Board, the Building Committee for Arrupe Hall, the A&S Committee of Chairs and a faculty representative to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees.