Dr. Wilson-James has been at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) since 2000; first, as the Program Coordinator for the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program, then as an Academic Advisor/Lecturer, and Peer Leader Coordinator for the Entering Student Program. She has several years of experience working in higher education including residence life, new student orientation, leadership development, academic advising, service learning, and student disability services. Dr. Wilson-James earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership for Change at Fielding Graduate University and holds a full-time position with the Entering Student Program. Dr. Wilson-James’ research interest is the impact of appreciative education on the retention of women students in the first-year of higher education.