Jill Villarreal
Associate Professor and Chair of Psychology and Animal Behavior
Education
Ph.D., Indiana University; B.A., Florida Atlantic University
About Jill Villarreal
Dr. Jill Villarreal is an Associate Professor and Chair of Psychology and Animal Behavior at Stephens College, where she provides academic leadership for interdisciplinary programs that bridge behavioral science, animal welfare, and human–animal interaction. She is also the founding director of the Center for Companion Animal Behavior (C-CAB), at Stpehens College advancing research, education, and community partnerships focused on evidence-based animal care.
Dr. Villarreal’s teaching and scholarship center on applied animal behavior and welfare science. Her work on the relation between cat attributes and perceived adoptability contributes to national conversations on how to improve adoption success for cats living in shelters throughout the United States.
In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. Villarreal has held senior leadership roles in the pet food industry, where she guided research and development initiatives, led cross-functional teams, and conducted evidence-based product innovation focused on animal well-being. This industry experience informs her teaching and mentoring, helping students connect science with real-world application.
Before joining Stephens College, Dr. Villarreal served in academic leadership roles, including Chair of the College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities at Harris-Stowe State University, where she led curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and strategic planning initiatives. Across her career, she has championed experiential learning that prepares students for meaningful careers in psychology, animal behavior, welfare science, and applied animal industries.