Missy lives resiliency. From a young age she has faced life altering events and challenges. And yet, with each challenge and set back, her strength and determination propel her to new levels. Being face down in the arena is temporary. Missy continues to use life’s face down moments as an opportunity to set a new trajectory and to rise stronger and more whole. Her life is dedicated to empowering others to do the same.
Virginia “Missy” Wilkins, Ph.D., is an experienced public school administrator and curriculum director with over 20 years of working in the public school system. She has 14 years of senior leadership experience directing multiple nation-wide mentoring and youth development programs to expand student learning and academic success. Dr. Wilkins has expertise in supervising, training, and inspiring multi-level work teams with the goal of promoting effective leadership skills to better navigate unique team dynamics. She has experience assisting 500+ schools to create, sustain, and evaluate mentoring programs. In March 2019, Dr. Wilkins became a Dare to Lead™ Certified Facilitator through Brené Brown and facilitates Dare to Lead™ workshops for schools, NGOs and non-profits.
As a presenter, Dr. Wilkins is engaging, passionate, and eloquently draws from her own life experiences dealing with adversity and exhibiting resiliency. Workshop participants and clients report that, “Dr. Wilkins is a master at making people feel welcome. She speaks her mind and is open and honest.” Her passion is to empower people to become, through her workshops and consulting.
MEDIA
Consultant to Girl’s Life Magazine, February/March issue (2011)
Interviewed for Making the Grade, NBC- TV Connecticut (2011)
In Their Own Voice, CFES MetLife Peer Mentoring Handbook (2009), CFES Press: Cornwall, VT
Creating Partners for Success: MetLife Peer Mentoring, DVD (2008), Green Mountain Video: Williston, VT
Betwixt and Between: Understanding the Social and Emotional Developmental Needs of Students during the Middle School Transition Years, Chapter 8, If You Really Knew Me: An Effective Middle School-led Campaign to Stop Bullying. (2014), Rowman & Littlefied, New York, NY
Creative Solutions to Contemporary Challenges in Small and Rural Schools Across America, Chapter I, The School at the Heart of the Community: Three Simple Strategies to Enrich Elementary Education (2010), Learning Disabilities Worldwide: Weston, MA
Creative Solutions to Contemporary Challenges in Small and Rural Schools Across America, Chapter II, Introducing Vermont’s Rural Children to a Diverse World (2010), Learning Disabilities Worldwide: Weston, MA
Contributor, Powerful Partners In Student Success: Schools, Families and Communities. (2012), LDW Press: Weston, MA
PRESENTATIONS
• Council for Adult and Experiential Learning International Conference - CAEL (Chicago, IL, 2014)
• Higher Education Teaching and Learning International Conference - HETL (Tampa, FL, 2013)
• The Mentoring Institute and the University to New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM, 2013)
• National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Annual Conference (Foxwoods, MA, 2012)
• National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Annual Conference (Denver, CO, 2011)
• New England Opportunity Annual Conference (Portland, ME, 2011)
• CFES National Conference (2000-2012)
• Council For Opportunity in Education National Conference(Chicago, 2007; Washington, D.C., 2008)
• Keynote Speaker (America’s Promise, VT, 2006)
• National Conference of Teachers of Mathematics (Minneapolis, MN, 1998; Washington, D.C., 1999)
• Coalition of Essential Schools National Conference (San Francisco, 1998; Kansas City, 1999)
