An educational administrator, educator, author and philanthropist, Dr. Cornelia Wills is the nationally and internationally recognized author of the book, Mama Said: A Word to the Wise is Sufficient.
She currently serves as Director of Student Success at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). She has also worked at other higher education institutions including Tennessee State University, Fisk University, and Meharry Medical College. She worked in the area of research at the Tennessee Board of Regents prior to accepting the Director of Institutional Research position at MTSU. Wills is known for many “firsts,” including being the first Black and first female to serve in this position at MTSU.
She served in several leadership roles at the national, regional and state level. These include, president of the Tennessee Association for Institutional Research (TENNAIR), Board of Directors for the Southern Association for Institutional Research (SAIR), Committee Chair for the Association for Institutional Research (AIR), and many more. Several regional and state awards for MTSU were won under her leadership for resources provided by her office.
Other Highlights and Accomplishments:
Dr. Wills is listed in several national publications of Who’s Who, including Who’s Who Among Black Americans, and Who’s Who Among American Women. She was recommended and served on a national advisory board for student retention, and continues to serve as consultant and peer reviewer in the area of student success for major publishing companies.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from Austin Peay State University, in Clarksville, Tennessee. She is also a graduate of Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee where she received both her master’s and doctoral degrees in Educational Administration.
Dr. Wills is a sought after public speaker. She was tapped to deliver the keynote address where a few past prominent guests and speakers have been media mogul Oprah Winfrey; critically acclaimed author bell hooks; Honorable Judge Arnold B. Lynch, and Dr. Raymond Burse, president of Kentucky State University.
Among her most humbling honors was receiving the Mentor of the Year award and being cited as a person who makes a difference in the lives of students at MTSU. She still revels in what she calls the highest honor she ever received—being awarded the Key to the City by Mayor Carter Hendricks.
One of her proudest moments is becoming author of the ever-popular book, Mama Said: A Word to the Wise is Sufficient. As a part of her passion to help students be successful, she donates proceeds from the sale of her book to scholarship funds, to help students stay in school. She contributes her success to God, her family, and the upbringing from her parents.