A LABOR OF LOVE

Dr. Liza Wilson leaves the College of Education
after more than 32 years

Family and friends, colleagues and former students all gathered at Alumni Hall one afternoon in March to celebrate Dr. Liza Wilson and her education career.

Stories were shared and tears were shed as person after person expressed their congratulations, giving a glimpse at how many lives she has impacted and enriched through the years in the College of Education.

These are the moments and memories Dr. Wilson will carry with her when she closes her career with the College and retires at the end of March. As she reflects on the past 32 years at the University, the key word that comes to mind is “blessed.”

“Being a student then having the opportunity to return (to UA) and be on the faculty for all these years … it means so much,” she said. “I was very fortunate to fill a lot of different roles (in the College), form relationships, do research, and work with the community. These things made me better and helped me to do my job better – that has been a big blessing.”

Wilson has seen all sides of the College during her career. She started as an assistant professor in 1991, moving from professorship to roles as department head, director of the school partnership office, senior associate dean, and interim dean.

“Seeing what goes on behind the scenes to support our students and make this college function, being part of that has been so exciting,” Wilson said. “It has been very meaningful for me to make some type of contribution, learn the process, then see the magnitude of how things have changed over these years.”

Her passion for education and dedication to the College has never wavered, and teaching has remained a constant throughout her academic career, even as she made the transition into administration. This semester, Wilson had the opportunity to spend more time in classrooms around the community as a volunteer teacher and Clinical Master Teacher (CMT) for secondary education certification settings.

Seeing students working in schools, making progress, and earning their certification is extremely rewarding and something Dr. Wilson will always cherish.

“It has been incredibly memorable to watch the teacher pinning ceremony and see that level of recognition for what these students are choosing to do in their lives,” she said. “Having the joy of getting to see that come to fruition – that is a big thing for me to take with me.”

Last spring, Dr. Wilson was named the winner of the 2023 E. Roger Sayers Distinguished Service Award and played an integral role in preparing the College for its accreditation review. She worked diligently with Assessment Team members to ensure success. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) review team gave the College an exceptional review recommending no stipulations or areas for improvement.

Though she is looking forward to retirement – and a trip to Greece to visit family – she said her time with the College has not felt like work.

“The relationships I’ve formed made me never want to leave,” Wilson said. “… Whether it's faculty, staff, students, school partners, or community partners, I have made so many professional and personal connections that mean the world to me.”

Her more than 32 years here have truly been a labor of love.