Faces of NLU: Ebony Wilkins

Ebony Wilkins, Director and Associate Professor of English and Humanities at National Louis University, has built a career rooted in a lifelong love of stories — and a determination to ensure others can find themselves in them. From searching library shelves as a child to leading cutting-edge AI initiatives in education, her path is a testament to what happens when curiosity, purpose, and community align.

Dr. Wilkins' story begins not in a classroom, but in the stacks of her local library. Every week, her parents would take her there, and she'd spend hours pulling books off the shelves, hunting for characters who looked like her. That early, deeply personal search for representation planted a seed that would grow into a career. She channeled that passion into writing her own stories on a clunky, used computer her father brought home — a first act that eventually led her into education journalism. But after years of reporting on schools from the outside, she felt the pull to be part of them. Today, as a professor and program director, she blends her background in journalism with a deep commitment to literacy, creating resources that reflect and celebrate the full range of student experiences. "I'm living proof of what happens when a child is simply encouraged to pick up a book and a pen," she says.

For Dr. Wilkins, choosing NLU was about relationships. "I have always believed that the best teaching starts with relationship-building, and I found a team that centers on students," she explains. The university's people — colleagues and students alike — have kept her inspired. As a self-described lifelong learner who craves spaces that foster curiosity and exploration, she found her home at NLU. "The resilience and brilliance of our team and students are what inspire me to continue this work here," she says.

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One of the most transformative chapters of Dr. Wilkins' time at NLU came when she stepped into leading the Reading and Writing AI Assessment Tool committee. Moving into a fast-paced, technical space pushed her beyond her comfort zone — and she's grateful for it. "Transitioning into such a fast-moving, technical space reminded me that to be a great teacher, you must first be a willing student," she reflects. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, she found the experience energizing. Learning alongside her team and students reinforced a core belief she carries into every classroom: change isn't something to fear. "It's an invitation to grow."

Ask Dr. Wilkins to sum up NLU in a single word, and she doesn't hesitate: Innovation. And she's quick to explain that it's not just a talking point. "It is one thing for a university to talk about progress, but at NLU, I've actually watched it happen," she says, pointing to new construction on campus and the institution's thoughtful integration of AI tools as evidence. "I especially appreciate how our stance on diversity and inclusion continues to be refined and deepened," she notes. "I'm a firm believer that change is growth, and my experience here has shown me that NLU is committed to growing alongside our students and the world around us."

Her message to anyone thinking about joining the NLU community is straightforward: come ready to grow. "NLU is a place for those who are willing to grow and understand that collaboration is key to success," she says. "If you focus on building relationships, you'll find that the opportunities for intellectual and professional exploration are endless."