Dr. Erin Wheeler, executive director of College Beyond, accepts the 2021 Professional of the Year Award of Excellence during NCAN's virtual conference.
Dr. Erin Wheeler, executive director of College Beyond, received the Dr. David B. Swedlow Professional of the Year Award of Excellence at the 2021 NCAN National Conference. This award recognizes the dedication,
hard work, and innovation of an individual working at a college access program.
Dr. Wheeler, who was a first-generation college student herself, is fervently committed to advocating for equitable higher education reforms and thoroughly supporting students of color, first-generation students, and students from low-income backgrounds.
Upon completing her bachelor’s degree, she earned her doctorate with a dissertation focused on STEM retention initiatives that provided holistic development to first-year students at Louisiana State University (LSU).
This work subsequently led to Dr. Wheeler’s role as a STEM teaching and learning consultant at LSU’s Center for Academic Success. While there, Dr. Wheeler aided students with improving their learning and performance in difficult STEM classes, assisted
faculty with implementing effective teaching strategies into the curriculum, and significantly contributed to the nationally recognized IMPACT program which focuses on supporting students who have an academic probation standing.
Dr. Wheeler’s accomplishments with student retention at LSU equipped her to become the assistant provost for student success and retention at Kentucky State University (KSU). At KSU, she coordinated a multifaceted strategic plan to help the institution
increase its retention rates from 45% to 68% within a mere two years. She received national recognition from the Educational Advisory Board Company, specifically for her work in integrating technology through the use of a retention management system.
After only a year and a half as College Beyond’s executive director, Dr. Wheeler has led the program to reach more than twice as many students annually, added career preparation to the program’s curriculum, expanded partnerships, and developed a strategic
vision for the organization’s next phase of growth.
Moreover, Dr. Wheeler’s leadership has propelled College Beyond to report a four-year graduation rate for students receiving the Pell Grant that is 80% higher than the national Pell graduation rate and 60% higher than Louisiana’s four-year Pell graduation
rate.
Dr. Wheeler's passion for equity in postsecondary education is also demonstrated beyond her numerous career achievements. She regularly volunteers at local high schools to help improve college preparation. She has published two books (“Geaux Wiser: Secrets
to College Success” and “Live Wiser: The Ultimate Guide to Adulting Post-Grad”) intended to help people optimize their college education and transition into a career. She organizes outreach events and campaigns for her mission-driven church, and she
is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta, an organization that regularly works to bring more resources into the rural North Tangipahoa Parish area.
“Her commitment to supporting the college access and success of students from underserved communities is unswerving, and sets an example at home in Louisiana, as well as at a national level,” wrote Sarah Payne, co-founder and strategic advisor of College
Beyond, in a letter nominating Dr. Wheeler for the NCAN award. “She is the kind of leader that professionals throughout the field can look to, not only for a tremendous example of excellence, but for inspiration, too.”
As the Professional of the Year award recipient, Dr. Wheeler’s organization will receive $1,000 to put toward general operating support, scholarships, and/or professional development.
NCAN solicits nominees from its membership for the annual Awards of Excellence in College Access and Success. A committee of NCAN members reviews all nominations, with final decisions confirmed by the NCAN
board of directors. NCAN thanks the members of the 2021 Awards Committee for their service:
Jamie Covell, Community Engagement Consultant, Iowa College Aid
Jeremy Raff, Coordinator of College and Career Services, School District of Lancaster
Soilo Felix, Chief Program Officer, Be A Leader Foundation
Laurel Wilder, Director of Marketing and Communications, College Now Greater Cleveland
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