Elizabeth Wilkins is an Assistant Professor of Education at USI. She earned her bachelor's degree in English literature with minors in secondary education, Native American literature, British literature and American literature from the University of Oklahoma. She received her Master’s in education in curriculum and instruction and her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies also from the University of Oklahoma. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in language and literacy, English as a second language, educational leadership and qualitative and advanced research methods. Wilkins is also the current Director of Doctoral Studies in Education and has led and overseen over 100 doctoral level students on their research development.
She has multiple publications focusing on equity and reading and accessible pathways for high school students seeking teacher education programs. Her work has been featured at local, state, national and international conferences. She has worked with the Science of Reading Council and has written multiple grants that have brought $1.1 million to USI. Wilkins has been featured on a national podcast and has spoken on panels about freedom of speech and the First Amendment rights of teachers and issues of book banning.