Kristie Wyatt, MPH
UNC Greensboro School of Health and Human Sciences
Professional Development
Revisioning Leadership
My understanding of leadership has developed into something that is much more complex and nuanced than I would have thought earlier in my career. This awareness peaked about two years ago, while I was working on a digital project called Stories of Leadership in my Practice. This project was a turning point for me because I learned something new about myself; my preconceived notion of what a “real” leader is or isn’t had blocked me from recognizing and developing my own leadership skills and strategies. With this newfound perspective, I was better equipped to ask myself this question:
"If leadership doesn’t look the way I thought it did, what does it actually look like?"
Leaders in health education, whether they are healthcare professionals, community organizers, policy writers, or educators, must be lifelong learners. They must demonstrate a willingness and ability to assess new information and adapt their strategies accordingly. Leaders must be dedicated to breaking down inequities and creating channels of access between communities and resources. They must be open to critique and be able to grow from it. They must trust others to be the experts of their own experiences.
During recent years I have purposefully and thoughtfully sought out opportunities that would develop my own leadership skills. I have chosen experiences that would expose me to new people and ideas, and that would challenge me to try new things, often with great risk and effort.
Highlighted Experiences
North Carolina Association of International Educators (NCAIE)
In March of 2019 I presented at the NCAIE conference with two of my colleagues. The idea for this proposal was born out of our recognition of a lack of interdisciplinary professional development for study abroad professionals. We brought together our knowledge of international travel, crisis management, disability services, and federal regulations. Presenting at this conference was an opportunity for me to lead a session where my expertise on Title IX, support, and victim advocacy knowledge, was valuable to an audience outside of sexual violence prevention providers.
UNC Greensboro Hot Topics in Higher Education, Presenter
In May of 2019 I presented alongside a colleague at the UNCG Hot Topics in Higher Education Conference, which had an annual focus on student mental health. She and I had previously discussed the impact of different communication tendencies on student relationships, and we decided to incorporate that into the American Psychological Association’s 2019 Trends to Watch list. This was an opportunity to learn more about an emerging issue I was unfamiliar with and to bring that knowledge to other professionals.
"So much to discuss. Lots of ideas and takeaways. Presenters were engaging...good balance of info and group discussion...interaction was very helpful. Presenters planned a very thoughtful session." -Anonymous Feedback Survey
Professional Development Experiences
Making the Grade in Worksite Wellness, Northwest Area Healthy Education Center (AHEC) and Health UNCG, 2019
I attended this two-day conference for professionals interested in improving the well-being of their employees, with a focus on sharing resources and networking. The focus on integrative wellness programs was beneficial to the assessment I was conducting at the time for Well-Spring Solutions.
Healing from Multiple Traumas: LGBT People of Color & Sexual Violence, North Carolina Coalition against Sexual Assault, 2018
Workshop for sexual assault advocates to hone cultural competency skills and to better support clients who identify as LGBT people of color.
Research Ethics and Compliance Training: Human Research, CITI Program, 2018
HSR provides foundational training in human subjects research and includes the historical development of human subject protections, ethical issues, and current regulatory and guidance information.
Quality Referrals for Advocates: Working with Women who Experience Unintended Pregnancies, PROVIDE, 2017
I sought out this to be able provide counseling and referral services for my students who were experiencing an unintended pregnancy. I became familiar with community resources and an unbiased method of helping the student through the process of choosing between continuing a pregnancy to parent, continuing a pregnancy to adoption, or ending the pregnancy.
Whetstone HIV CTR counseling certification 2016
I received this certification so that I could distribute test results and counsel students on HIV risk behaviors.
Bystander Intervention "Train the Trainer", Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP), 2015
I became certified as an MVP trainer to be able to use the curriculum on my own campus. This particular training was designed for military personnel and student athletes.
Question, Persuade, Refer: Suicide Prevention, QPR Institute, 2014
This training was a suicide awareness and prevention workshop for student affairs professionals.
Liberation Space/LGBTQIA Inclusion & Activism, Guilford Multicultural Education Department, 2015
A newly visioned Safe Space training, this workshop included introductions to trends and community resources. We reflected on our own experiences and discussed current events. We also identified ways in which our departments or positions could be more inclusive.
Mental Health First Aid, Greensboro Mental Health Association, 2009
This course was designed to train community members how to respond to mental health crisis without a background in counseling.
Victim Advocacy First Responder, Family Services of the Piedmont, 2009
I attended this training session early in my career as a student affairs professional. At the time I was doing emergency response workshops and this was supplemental. It ended up marking a career shift for me, sparking the shift from my interest in sexual health education to violence prevention.