Jim Wilson, Vice President of Academic Affairs for Wilmington University
Why did you decide to join the CDHFH board?
At the time, I had recently moved to Kent County and wanted to become involved in a non-profit that directly serves its constituents. Had some familiarity with Habitat and was introduced to a current Board member, Colonel Frank Daniels (Ret.).
What has it meant to you to be a member of the CDHFH Board?
It is very rewarding to see witness families who are now able to own their own home for the very first time. What particularly touches me is to see the new bedrooms for children and think of how happy they will be to often have their first space they can all their own.
What is happening at CDHFH right now that you are most excited about?
How the development area is progressing over time. Ultimately, I hope to one day see Habitat being able to provide employees with a full set of benefits (including retirement) and being fiscally secure for the future.
What committee(s) do you serve on, if any?
Development Committee
What is something we might be surprised to know about you?
As an avid Eagles fan, I actually have a Cowboy kidney. In 2001, I had a kidney transplant donated to me by a young woman who was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Imagine that it took some special immunosuppression medications in order for my body to accept the kidney.
Who has been an influential person in your life and why?
My wife, Tina. We have been married for nearly 43 years and raised a family together. It is hard to imagine anyone having more of an influence upon the life of another than in this context.
Tell us about yourself:
Employment with the University began in the year 2000, and he previously was the Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and an Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. He holds the academic rank of Professor. Responsibilities include the faculty, curricular and operations of the seven colleges which make up the University, The Center for Teaching Excellence and the Library. Wilson holds degrees in Counseling Psychology (Ed.D.), Pastoral Counseling (M.S.), and in Ministry (M.A.R.). He also holds a bachelors and associates degree.
His professional development experiences include: The Harvard University Institute for Higher Education Management, Certificate in Fund Raising Management (Indiana University), Wilmington University Leadership Institute, American Council on Education: Leadership Institute for New Chief Academic Offices, and IBM – Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Dr. Wilson teaches in Wilmington University’s Clinical Mental Health Counselors program as he is a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (Delaware), National Board Certified Counselor and an Approved Clinical Supervisor and is a member of the American Counseling Association and holds the American Red Cross – Foundations of Disaster Mental Health Certificate. He also served as President of American Association of State Counseling Boards.
He has served the State of Delaware in numerous ways including appointments by Delaware Governors to the Delaware (licensure) Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals (two terms as president) and the Delaware Sentencing Accountability Commission (SENTAC). He also serves on the Delaware P-20 Council and is a member of the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps (mental health).
As for family, Tina and our 2 adult children, our son (in law) and 2 grandchildren (12 and 5 years old) spend a lot of time with together (especially through Covid).
