Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Professional Highlights
Awards and Accomplishments
Campus and Community Service
Affiliations
Publications, Grants and Scholarly Activities
References
Timeline
Generic

Avila Hendricks Nilon

Columbia,MO

Summary

Highly adaptable and versatile college professor with over 20 years of experience in educational administration and teaching. Demonstrates outstanding ability to apply effective teaching strategies across various educational stages. Committed to fostering collaboration and promoting classroom interaction through service learning. Strives to empower students to shape their own futures and make a positive impact on their communities.

Overview

44
44
years of professional experience

Work History

Faculty Fellow

Lincoln University of Missouri
Jefferson City, MO
10.2024 - Current
  • Identified best practices for successful onboarding of new hires through personal experience sharing sessions.
  • Fostered a culture of inclusion by promoting diversity awareness among all members of the organization.
  • Researched various industry trends in order to develop innovative approaches for mentorship programs.
  • Collaborated with other mentors and professionals to share best practices and enhance the mentoring program's effectiveness.
  • Implemented feedback mechanisms to continually improve the mentoring program based on mentee and stakeholder input.
  • Acted as a role model, demonstrating professionalism, ethical behavior, and a positive attitude in all interactions.

Full Professor

Lincoln University of Missouri
Jefferson City, MO
08.2009 - Current
  • Participated in departmental committees that address curriculum development, assessment strategies or technology initiatives.
  • Advised students on academic issues and career paths.
  • Engaged with colleagues in scholarly activities at professional conferences.
  • Developed partnerships between the university and external organizations to promote research collaborations.

<ul><li>Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) program</li><li>Served as Program Director for over 40 currently enrolled students</li><li>Tasked with identifying non-enrollees with over 120 credit hours and assisting them with degree completion</li><li>Revised procedures and checklists used for advising BLS candidates for graduation</li></ul>

01.2018 - 01.2019
  • Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) program
  • Served as Program Director for over 40 currently enrolled students
  • Tasked with identifying non-enrollees with over 120 credit hours and assisting them with degree completion
  • Revised procedures and checklists used for advising BLS candidates for graduation

<ul><li>Masters In Higher Education degree program</li><li>Developed course offerings for the newly created online graduate program (M.A.) with an emphasis in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Administration/Student Affairs</li><li>Formed a committee to screen and hire adjunct faculty at HBCUs for the program</li><li>Monitored and assisted the adjunct faculty with online curriculum and e-teaching concerns</li><li>Recruited and advised graduate scholars in the M.A program</li><li>Prepared scholarship funds and worked with Lincoln University accounting and finance personnel to develop financial aid and/or scholarship packages for graduate scholars</li></ul>

Lincoln University
01.2015 - 01.2016
  • Masters In Higher Education degree program
  • Developed course offerings for the newly created online graduate program (M.A.) with an emphasis in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Administration/Student Affairs
  • Formed a committee to screen and hire adjunct faculty at HBCUs for the program
  • Monitored and assisted the adjunct faculty with online curriculum and e-teaching concerns
  • Recruited and advised graduate scholars in the M.A program
  • Prepared scholarship funds and worked with Lincoln University accounting and finance personnel to develop financial aid and/or scholarship packages for graduate scholars

<ul><li>Served as a joint liaison between the UM System Office of the VP for Academic Affairs and the Office of Academic Affairs at the State Department</li><li>Assisted in the review and approval/rejection of newly proposed degree programs at universities and colleges across the State</li></ul>

Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education/ Higher Education Department Jefferson City, Missouri University of Missouri System
01.1996 - 01.1997
  • Served as a joint liaison between the UM System Office of the VP for Academic Affairs and the Office of Academic Affairs at the State Department
  • Assisted in the review and approval/rejection of newly proposed degree programs at universities and colleges across the State

<ul><li>Assisted the VP in the research and preparation of speeches to higher education constituents</li><li>Represented the VP at formal events such as the installation of new University Presidents</li><li>Gathered information from all four UM System campuses (Columbia, Rolla, Kansas City and Saint Louis) regarding promotion and tenure, degree programs, and the number of international and minority faculty</li></ul>

University of Missouri System - Office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs
Columbia, Missouri
01.1993 - 01.1997
  • Assisted the VP in the research and preparation of speeches to higher education constituents
  • Represented the VP at formal events such as the installation of new University Presidents
  • Gathered information from all four UM System campuses (Columbia, Rolla, Kansas City and Saint Louis) regarding promotion and tenure, degree programs, and the number of international and minority faculty

<ul><li>Civil Service Rank: GS-9</li><li>Hired, fired and supervised staff</li><li>Developed appropriate staff professional development trainings</li><li>Designed program curriculum</li><li>Oversaw daily activities and interactions with families</li><li>Prepared the center's budget, payroll and other financial responsibilities</li><li>Reported directly to the military base Commander; Attended weekly staff meetings with the Colonel and other U.S</li><li>Army military and civilian personnel</li></ul>

U.S. Military Community - Family Support Center
Wurzburg
01.1982 - 01.1982
  • Civil Service Rank: GS-9
  • Hired, fired and supervised staff
  • Developed appropriate staff professional development trainings
  • Designed program curriculum
  • Oversaw daily activities and interactions with families
  • Prepared the center's budget, payroll and other financial responsibilities
  • Reported directly to the military base Commander; Attended weekly staff meetings with the Colonel and other U.S
  • Army military and civilian personnel

<ul><li>Civil Service Rank: US-5</li><li>Assisted the Director with staffing, payroll needs and other center operations</li><li>Promoted developmentally appropriate practice and other child care and instructional strategies</li><li>Responsible for developing parenting workshops for military soldiers and their families</li></ul>

U.S. Military Community - Family Support Center
Ascheffenburg
01.1981 - 01.1982
  • Civil Service Rank: US-5
  • Assisted the Director with staffing, payroll needs and other center operations
  • Promoted developmentally appropriate practice and other child care and instructional strategies
  • Responsible for developing parenting workshops for military soldiers and their families

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Education - Higher and Adult Education, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, School Law

Columbia, Missouri
Columbia, Missouri
05.1998

Masters in Educational Administration -

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
05.1989

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, Pre-law

Poughkeepsie, New York
Poughkeepsie, New York
05.1979

Junior Year Cultural Exchange Student -

Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
01.1979

Initial Teacher Certification - Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Rochester, Michigan
Rochester, Michigan
08.1981

Teaching Certificate K-6 - Elementary School Teaching

Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS)
West Germany
01-1982

Lifetime Teaching Certificate PreK - Grade 8 - Early Childhood Care And Education & Elementary Ed

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO
05-1988

Skills

  • Syllabus Development and Student Engagement
  • Cultural Awareness and outstanding Interpersonal skills
  • Learning Outcome Alignment
  • Excellent computer skills
  • Public speaking skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Strong team-building skills
  • Project management skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

Professional Highlights

  • 2024 Served on the University of Missouri (UMC) Conference Planning Committee and represented Lincoln University for the Afro-Cuban Legacy Summit.
  • 2015 Established an MA Program in Higher Education with an emphasis in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
  • 2012 Participated in an Educational Tour of China for faculty in higher education.
  • 2011 Opened the Early Childhood Infant Center in cooperation with Head Start, Inc. on the campus of Lincoln University of Missouri (LU).
  • 2010 Granted sabbatical to write and study literature with Tennessee Poet Laureate, Margaret Vaughn.
  • 2009-2007 Developed the LU Campus Common Read program.
  • 2001 - 2015 Established the LU Associate degree program in Early Childhood (EC) Education and supervised four EC program adjunct instructors.

Awards and Accomplishments

  • 2024 Provost's Faculty (Lincoln University of Missouri)
  • 2022 Columbia Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health Award
  • 2021 to Present, Quality Matters (QM) Peer Reviewer Higher Education
  • 2016 to Present, Quality Matters (QM) Online Course Design and Standards - Peer Reviewer
  • 2004 Award Lincoln University's Dean's Recognition for Learning, Engagement and Discovery (LEAD)
  • (2004), Gus T. Ridgel Fellowship, University of Missouri-Columbia (1996-1992),
  • Phi Delta Kappa Initiate, Phi Delta Gamma Chapter, Columbia, MO. (1995), Who's Who Among American College & University Students (1994)

Campus and Community Service

  • Fr. Tolton High School, Academic Committee, Chair (2019 - 2021)
  • Missouri Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (MAECTE), Fall 2017 and 2016 Conference Host and Co-organizer
  • Presenter - Spring 2015 Conference-Topic: "Web Presence Possibilities," Well Aware Boone Hospital Columbia, Missouri
  • Presenter-Cancer Survivors Luncheon-Topic: "Sit and Be Fit!" June 2016
  • Teaching Tolerance: A Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center Fall 2012- 2016
  • LU Campus Organizer: Mix It Up @ Lincoln-A Lunch and Learn Service. Learning activity for the campus community. Sponsored by students in the EDU 260 Education and Cultural Diversity classes.
  • U.S. Courts Western District Immigration and Naturalization Ceremony, Speaker-Welcome mew citizens speech entitled, "I Too, Am American." May 2015
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Chi Omega Chapter, President - Columbia, MO. (2010 - 2012).
  • Foliotek Dossier/Promotion and Tenure Triptych Pilot Study (2009-2010). Hendricks, A. and Geoff Leigh, Foliotek Senior Consultant-Product Design and Development. Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Annette Digby, Vice President, Lincoln. University.
  • Blue Tiger Babysitter Service (Homecoming 2009). Early Childhood Students Association, Special Fundraiser, Avila Hendricks Originator and Faculty Advisor.
  • Jefferson City Day Care Board of Directors, 2001, 2008
  • United Way Early Childhood Advisory Board, 2008, 2009

Affiliations

  • Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness & Health (Columbia MO.) Council Member 2018 -2021
  • Missouri Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (MAECTE) Treasurer 2016- 2013
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAECTE) Membership Chair 2007 President 2003-2006
  • OTHER PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS and SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
  • International Reading Association Current Member 2020 - present
  • Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge Organization Current Member - Selected in 2010
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Chi Omega Chapter Current Member since 2000
  • Military Child Education Coalition 2014-2016
  • Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE) 2005-2014
  • Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) 2003-2010

Publications, Grants and Scholarly Activities

PUBLICATIONS

  • EDU 256-Children's Literature Publications with LU Students, Publisher: Student Treasures. Titles available upon request (2005 - 2021)
  • Hendricks, Avila, Blue Tiger Tales: The Story of Missouri's Lincoln University. (2008-2009) Work in Progress, Children's Book Sabbatical Research Project. Anticipated Publication Date: Fall 2010, Bell Buckle Press Publishers, Bell Buckle, Tennessee.
  • Hendricks, Avila and Suzanne Norton, Illustrations by Peggy Guest. James Milton Turner: Educational Pioneer and Leader in Boonville's History (2005) Unpublished Manuscript, Commissioned 2004 by Arthur (Art) Schneider for the Heroes of Missouri History series.
  • Hendricks, A.D. (1997). A Handbook of the University of Missouri Outreach Programs with Missouri Public Schools. University of Missouri System, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, University Printing Press: Columbia, MO.
  • Hendricks, A.D., Smith, K., Caplow, J.H., & Donaldson, J.F. (Winter 1996). Toward A PROFESSIONAL TECHNOLOGY and CREATIVE ENDEAVORS Grounded Theory of the Factors Related to the Persistence of Minority Students in Professional Education Programs, Innovative Higher Education.

GRANTS

  • 2023 - Rethinking Bias in the Classroom and on Campus.... 2023 Grant Participant. Grant Writer, Dr. Antoinette Landor, University of Missouri-Columbia.
  • 2009 - Early Childhood Child Care & Education Center Grant, Principal Investigator and Grant Writer: Avila Hendricks
  • 2008 - Lincoln University Early Child Care Center Grant. Early Childhood Child Care Center, 2008 Consultant: Avila Hendricks. Grant Writer Constance Williams, Vice President for Student Affairs, Lincoln University
  • 2004 - Fuel Cell Technology Grant Research Project. Principal Investigator and Grant Writer: Galen Suppes, Associate Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia
  • 2004 Head Start & Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grant, Co-Writer: Avila Hendricks with Susan Cook, Head Start Preschool Coordinator

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES 

  • Afro-Cuban Legacy Summit - Student Poster Presentation Sessions on Cuban Children's Literature (April 2024)
  • Greater MO. Leadership Symposium - Moderator, Educational Panel, Columbia College, MO. (March 2022)
  • Missouri Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (MAECTE), Fall 2017 and 2016 Conference Host and Co-organizer
  • Presenter - Spring 2015 Conference-Topic: "Web Presence Possibilities," Well Aware Boone Hospital Columbia, Missouri
  • Presenter-Cancer Survivors Luncheon-Topic: "Sit and Be Fit!" June 2016
  • The Innovation and Impact of Four HBCU Reciprocal, Intentional, and Sustainable Partnerships (February 2009) Presentation: Annual Conference of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), Chicago, Illinois
  • From Rifles to Readers (February 2008) Presentation: Annual Conference of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Revising Syllabi to Include Research-Based Reading Practices (Nov. 2005) Presentation: Reading First Teacher Education Network (RFTEN). Washington D.C.

Presentations at State Conferences

  • Journal Chat: Community Group Involvement in NAEYC, Fall 2003 Presentation: Annual Conference of the Missouri Association for the Education of Young Children. Osage Beach, Missouri
  • Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) Workshop, Fall 2003 Training Workshop: Annual Conference of the Missouri Association for the Education of Young Children, Osage Beach, Missouri

Presentations or Workshops at Local Conferences and/or Community Meetings

  • Fit for Work, Training Workshop: Jefferson City Daycare, Jefferson City, Missouri
  • "If Schools Were Mirrors, What Would They Reflect Back? Reflections on the Impact of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. 2007 Talk Radio 89.5 Interview, Avila Hendricks, Guest Educator, Barbara Morrow Williams, Radio Host. Broadcast Thursday, March 20, 2007, 7:00PM-8:00PM. Station KOPN: Columbia, Missouri
  • Strategies for Supportive Cultural Practices in Family Involvement 2006 Early Childhood Reviewer: SAGE Publications.
  • National Science Foundation Graduate & K-12 Partnership Grants, 2005 Grant Review Panel Member: Division of Graduate Ed., National Science Foundation (NSF): Arlington, Virginia.Foliotek Dossier/Promotion and Tenure Triptych Pilot Study (2009-2010). Hendricks, A. and Geoff Leigh, Foliotek Senior Consultant-Product Design and Development. Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Annette Digby, Vice President, Lincoln. University.

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Faculty Fellow

Lincoln University of Missouri
10.2024 - Current

<ul><li>Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) program</li><li>Served as Program Director for over 40 currently enrolled students</li><li>Tasked with identifying non-enrollees with over 120 credit hours and assisting them with degree completion</li><li>Revised procedures and checklists used for advising BLS candidates for graduation</li></ul>

01.2018 - 01.2019

<ul><li>Masters In Higher Education degree program</li><li>Developed course offerings for the newly created online graduate program (M.A.) with an emphasis in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Administration/Student Affairs</li><li>Formed a committee to screen and hire adjunct faculty at HBCUs for the program</li><li>Monitored and assisted the adjunct faculty with online curriculum and e-teaching concerns</li><li>Recruited and advised graduate scholars in the M.A program</li><li>Prepared scholarship funds and worked with Lincoln University accounting and finance personnel to develop financial aid and/or scholarship packages for graduate scholars</li></ul>

Lincoln University
01.2015 - 01.2016

Full Professor

Lincoln University of Missouri
08.2009 - Current

<ul><li>Served as a joint liaison between the UM System Office of the VP for Academic Affairs and the Office of Academic Affairs at the State Department</li><li>Assisted in the review and approval/rejection of newly proposed degree programs at universities and colleges across the State</li></ul>

Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education/ Higher Education Department Jefferson City, Missouri University of Missouri System
01.1996 - 01.1997

<ul><li>Assisted the VP in the research and preparation of speeches to higher education constituents</li><li>Represented the VP at formal events such as the installation of new University Presidents</li><li>Gathered information from all four UM System campuses (Columbia, Rolla, Kansas City and Saint Louis) regarding promotion and tenure, degree programs, and the number of international and minority faculty</li></ul>

University of Missouri System - Office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs
01.1993 - 01.1997

<ul><li>Civil Service Rank: GS-9</li><li>Hired, fired and supervised staff</li><li>Developed appropriate staff professional development trainings</li><li>Designed program curriculum</li><li>Oversaw daily activities and interactions with families</li><li>Prepared the center's budget, payroll and other financial responsibilities</li><li>Reported directly to the military base Commander; Attended weekly staff meetings with the Colonel and other U.S</li><li>Army military and civilian personnel</li></ul>

U.S. Military Community - Family Support Center
01.1982 - 01.1982

<ul><li>Civil Service Rank: US-5</li><li>Assisted the Director with staffing, payroll needs and other center operations</li><li>Promoted developmentally appropriate practice and other child care and instructional strategies</li><li>Responsible for developing parenting workshops for military soldiers and their families</li></ul>

U.S. Military Community - Family Support Center
01.1981 - 01.1982

Doctor of Philosophy in Education - Higher and Adult Education, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, School Law

Columbia, Missouri

Masters in Educational Administration -

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, Pre-law

Poughkeepsie, New York

Junior Year Cultural Exchange Student -

Nashville, Tennessee

Initial Teacher Certification - Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Rochester, Michigan

Teaching Certificate K-6 - Elementary School Teaching

Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS)

Lifetime Teaching Certificate PreK - Grade 8 - Early Childhood Care And Education & Elementary Ed

Southeast Missouri State University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Avila Hendricks Nilon