Staff Spotlight: Meet UVA | Northern Virginia’s Lindsey Wilkins
Meet Lindsey Wilkins, who is the Education Program Manager for UVA | Northern Virginia! Lindsey’s previous experience in the classroom provides a valuable background for her role here at UVA | Northern Virginia. Lindsey is a critical part of running the programs, and she works in a variety of different subareas in the UVA community. We spoke with her to learn more about her role, her favorite parts of working in the UVA community, and what she hopes to accomplish in the future.
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself, your role at UVA, and what brought you here?
A: I grew up in Oxford, Mississippi and attended the University of Mississippi as an education major. I moved to the Washington, D.C. area in 2013 and began my career as a classroom teacher. After over a decade in the classroom, I was looking for a new growth opportunity and joined the team at UVA | Northern Virginia! I am the Education Program Manager, and I work with federal programs that we have run, as well as assisting with other UVA programs and events!
Q: What does a typical day look like for you in your role?
A: My day revolves around programming! If I have a program running, I’m supporting our faculty and helping participants. On days that I’m not on a program—I’m planning programs. This role allows me to work across many areas, including communication, presenting, event planning, and more!
Q: What has been your favorite memory or top accomplishment in this role?
A: I have been especially proud of our team this past year for hosting large community events. From our open-house to a career fair, and programs fair—we have had some really successful events that have established our presence and brought community into our campus.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work at UVA?
A: I truly enjoy building relationships with faculty, coworkers, and program participants. I have learned so much in my year and a half here and met many wonderful people. Being connected to UVA in the DMV has allowed me to connect with individuals from a wide range of sectors and backgrounds.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: I picture myself on our bustling campus running programs with an even larger program team! It’s inspiring to see how our unit continues to grow!
Q: What’s been your favorite project, initiative, or experience since joining UVA?
A: One of my main programs is our Department of Defense Military Master Planning Institute. I really enjoy collaborating with the faculty, and I’ve learned a great deal about architecture and the many considerations involved in planning and maintaining military instillations. I have also really enjoyed getting to know the participants who come from diverse backgrounds including different branches of the military, government contractors, and professionals such as city planners. The diverse perspectives make the courses highly collaborative and different every time.
Q: How does your work support students, faculty, or the broader UVA community?
A: The goal of my work is to strengthen our academic programs through collaboration and continuous improvement. I work closely with program participants to ensure they have a great experience, and to implement their feedback to enhance program quality. I also enjoy collaborating with faculty on curriculum development to ensure our offerings are relevant, engaging, and aligned with UVA’s standards of excellence!
Q: What’s a fun fact about you that your colleagues might not know?
A: I love to journal. I have 4 different types of journals that I am currently keeping up with. Writing is a very comforting outlet to me, and I also know I will appreciate the memories and thoughts to reflect on throughout my life.
Q: Do you have a favorite spot on the UVA Northern Virginia campus (or in the DMV)?
A: My favorite spot on our campus is the map room! It is such a cool setup and perfect for large or small groups to collaborate and enjoy each other’s company. One of my favorite spots in the DMV is The Italian Store (Arlington). Check it out if you haven’t!