Dr. D. Antonio Cantù, Dean
College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
D. Antonio "Dean" Cantù, PhD, is Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Dr. Cantu received his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Illinois University; EdS in Community College Education, MA in History, and BS in Social Science Education from Arkansas State University; and an A.S. in Social Science from Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois, where he was named a Distinguished Alumni. He has also attended educational leadership institutes at the College of William & Mary and Yale University.
Professor Cantù has over thirty years of experience in professional education from high school through the university level. Prior to his current appointment as Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, he served as Associate Dean and Director of the Department of Education, Counseling, and Leadership at Bradley University, where he was the recipient of the Francis C. Mergen Memorial Award for Public Service and Charles M. Putnam Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has also served as Dean of Education at Indiana University Kokomo; Professor of History and Director of Social Studies Education, as well as Editor of the International Journal of Social Education, at Ball State University; and Social Studies Department Chair and Teacher at Ste. Genevieve (MO) High School. Prior to beginning his teaching career, Professor Cantu also served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca, Arizona and Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Professor Cantù is the author of numerous research articles, book chapters, and books on history/social studies education and technology integration. He has also served as a curriculum writer for various national organizations including The History Channel, The Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition and PBS Frontline. In addition, he has been quoted in articles published in EdScoop, EdSurge, HuffPost, Univision, and U.S. News & World Report. Professor Cantu has also been interviewed by Illinois Public Radio, Texas Public Radio, Peoria Public Radio, MarketScale, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, BUTV, and local CBS, FOX, and PBS television news affiliates.
Dr. Cantù’s articles have appeared in such publications as District Administration, EdPost, Peoria Magazine, and The Conversation. He is also the author of several books and curriculum monographs, including the following: Early Education in Arkansas Delta, Take Five Minutes: Reflective and Critical Thinking American History Class Openers, History/Social Studies Education in the Digital and Standards-Based Classroom, Technology Applications for the Digital Classroom, History Education 101: The Past, Present, and Future of Teacher Preparation, and Teaching History in the Digital Classroom.
Dr. Cantù also presented three TEDxTalks, the first of which, “Memento Mori: The Personification of Death,” was at the University of Tulsa. The second TEDxTalk, “Why are We Obsessed with the Image of Death?” was presented at the University of Illinois Springfield. The third TEDxTalk, "Requiem: Death's Guide to Life." was recently presented at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Cantu was also interviewed by The Bradley Scout regarding his TEDxTalks.
Professor Cantù has over thirty years of experience in professional education from high school through the university level. Prior to his current appointment as Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, he served as Associate Dean and Director of the Department of Education, Counseling, and Leadership at Bradley University, where he was the recipient of the Francis C. Mergen Memorial Award for Public Service and Charles M. Putnam Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has also served as Dean of Education at Indiana University Kokomo; Professor of History and Director of Social Studies Education, as well as Editor of the International Journal of Social Education, at Ball State University; and Social Studies Department Chair and Teacher at Ste. Genevieve (MO) High School. Prior to beginning his teaching career, Professor Cantu also served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca, Arizona and Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Professor Cantù is the author of numerous research articles, book chapters, and books on history/social studies education and technology integration. He has also served as a curriculum writer for various national organizations including The History Channel, The Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition and PBS Frontline. In addition, he has been quoted in articles published in EdScoop, EdSurge, HuffPost, Univision, and U.S. News & World Report. Professor Cantu has also been interviewed by Illinois Public Radio, Texas Public Radio, Peoria Public Radio, MarketScale, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, BUTV, and local CBS, FOX, and PBS television news affiliates.
Dr. Cantù’s articles have appeared in such publications as District Administration, EdPost, Peoria Magazine, and The Conversation. He is also the author of several books and curriculum monographs, including the following: Early Education in Arkansas Delta, Take Five Minutes: Reflective and Critical Thinking American History Class Openers, History/Social Studies Education in the Digital and Standards-Based Classroom, Technology Applications for the Digital Classroom, History Education 101: The Past, Present, and Future of Teacher Preparation, and Teaching History in the Digital Classroom.
Dr. Cantù also presented three TEDxTalks, the first of which, “Memento Mori: The Personification of Death,” was at the University of Tulsa. The second TEDxTalk, “Why are We Obsessed with the Image of Death?” was presented at the University of Illinois Springfield. The third TEDxTalk, "Requiem: Death's Guide to Life." was recently presented at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Cantu was also interviewed by The Bradley Scout regarding his TEDxTalks.
Awards
2022 Distinguished Alumni Award
Highland Community College
Highland Community College
Charles M. Putnam Award for Excellence in Teaching
Bradley University
Bradley University
Francis C. Mergen Memorial Award for Public Service
Bradley University
Professor Cantù's Professional Experience & Education
Experience
Dean, College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Associate Dean and Director of Education, Counseling, and Leadership
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois
Professor and Chair of Teacher Education
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois
Professor and Dean of Education
Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, Indiana
History Professor and Director of Social Studies Education
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair
Ste. Genevieve High School
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
History Instructor
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Military Intelligence Officer
U.S. Army
Fort Knox, Kentucky
Education
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction
Arkansas State University
Ed.S., Community College Education
Arkansas State University
M.A., History
Arkansas State University
B.S., Social Science Education
Highland Community College
A.S., Social Science
Mt. Carroll High School
H.S. Diploma
Dean, College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Associate Dean and Director of Education, Counseling, and Leadership
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois
Professor and Chair of Teacher Education
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois
Professor and Dean of Education
Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, Indiana
History Professor and Director of Social Studies Education
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair
Ste. Genevieve High School
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
History Instructor
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Military Intelligence Officer
U.S. Army
Fort Knox, Kentucky
Education
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction
Arkansas State University
Ed.S., Community College Education
Arkansas State University
M.A., History
Arkansas State University
B.S., Social Science Education
Highland Community College
A.S., Social Science
Mt. Carroll High School
H.S. Diploma
Amazon Author Page
LinkedIn Profile
IMDb Professional Page
Professor Cantù's Book & Curriculum Monograph Publications
"Dean Dean"
Season 7, Episode 2
