Dr. Gregory Mitchell

1979 - 2026

Dr. Gregory Mitchell
Born: February 2, 1979
Died: January 21, 2026
Doctor Gregory Mitchell, 46, of Williamstown, MA and Providence, RI, formerly of Ottawa, passed away unexpectedly Jan. 21, at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA, due to complications from pneumonia.
Professor Mitchell was born Feb. 2, 1979, in Ottawa, to Darlene (Schomas) Halm and Kenneth Mitchell.
He graduated from Ottawa High School, class of 1997.
Doctor Mitchell received his PhD in Performance Studies from Northwestern University, from which he also received a PhD Certificate and served as a Mellon Fellow in Gender Studies. He held a master's degree from the University of Chicago (focusing on Cultural Anthropology), as well as bachelor's and master's degrees from Illinois State University.
In 2012 Mitchell accepted a professorship at Williams College in Williamstown, MA, where he rose to become the Dennis Meenan '54 Third Century Professor of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, WGSS Program Chair and Faculty Affiliate in Anthropology/Sociology.
Mitchell previously worked in public policy development for four years at the Chicago Board of Education, and also in domestic and family violence intervention services.
In 2019 Professor Mitchell was chosen a Frederick Burkhardt Residential Fellow in Gender and Sexuality Studies at Princeton University for the academic year 2019-2020.
In 2022 he was selected to attend the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Residency Program in Lake Como, Italy. The Bellagio Center is known for hosting some of the most ambitious and innovative leaders of our time.
A brilliant writer and consummate researcher, Mitchell authored academic textbooks and numerous journal articles and was a much sought-after lecturer. An avid traveler, his research spanned the globe and drew him into legal and human rights work. He traveled to more than 50 countries, including England, Russia, Qatar, Brazil, Greece, Japan, and South Africa.
Professor Mitchell was a gentle and sensitive man, who had a fervent desire to eliminate injustices in the world. His students came to him for advice, and when their lives were devastated by the cruelty of the world, he was there with a strong shoulder to lean on.
A caring and loving friend, colleague, and mentor, the world is not as bright as it was before. There will be less joy and love in the world.
Professor Mitchell is survived by his mother, Darlene (the late Jim) Halm, of Ottawa; his father, Ken Mitchell, of Texas; siblings, Julie Mitchell, of Chicago; Amber (Kory) Robinson, of Austin, MN; Daniel (Sara) Halm, of Ottawa; and Bryan (Gina) Mitchell, of Sugar Grove; five nephews, Anthony Mitchell and William, Max, Calvin and Macauley Halm; his grandmother, Carolyn (the late Don) Winslow; and his partner, Nico Armador, of Bristol, Vermont.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Megan Halm; his stepfather, James Halm; grandparents, Melvin and Theresa Schomas, Essie and Kenneth Mitchell Sr., John Halm Sr., Don Winslow; and an uncle, John Halm.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a scholarship in his name. A celebration of life will take place at a later date.