Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran (born November 14, 1947) was the 17th President of
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College, also known as Kalamazoo, K College, KC or simply K, is a private liberal arts college in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Founded in 1833 by Baptist ministers as the Michigan and Huron Institute, Kalamazoo is the oldest private college in ...
, succeeding
James F. Jones. She was the first female president, as well as the first African-American president of the school. She retired at the end of the 2015-2016 academic year.
Education
Wilson-Oyelaran grew up in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
. She enrolled at
Pomona College
Pomona College ( ) is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California. It was established in 1887 by a group of Congregationalists who wanted to recreate a "college of the New England type" in Southern California. In 1925, it became ...
east of the city, where she majored in sociology and was one of the founding members of the
Claremont Colleges
The Claremont Colleges (known colloquially as the 7Cs) are a consortium of seven private institutions of higher education located in Claremont, California, United States. They comprise five undergraduate colleges (the 5Cs)—Pomona College, Scr ...
' Black Student Union. She then earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in education from the
Claremont Graduate University
The Claremont Graduate University (CGU) is a private, all-graduate research university in Claremont, California. Founded in 1925, CGU is a member of the Claremont Colleges which includes five undergraduate (Pomona College, Claremont McKenna Co ...
. During her undergraduate study abroad experience in England, she studied the education of immigrant children. She was also the recipient of the Thomas J. Watson Traveling Fellowship, which enabled her to do independent research in
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...
,
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
, and
Tanzania
Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and ...
.
Academic career
After completing her doctoral work in early childhood development, she accepted her first academic position at the University of Ife (now
Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a federal government-owned university that is located in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The university was founded in 1961 and classes commenced in October 1962 as the University of Ife ...
) in Nigeria, teaching in both the departments of education and psychology. She stayed at Ife for 14 years, and served as a department chair and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Wilson-Oyelaran's scholarly focus is in
child development
Child development involves the Human development (biology), biological, developmental psychology, psychological and emotional changes that occur in human beings between birth and the conclusion of adolescence. Childhood is divided into 3 stages o ...
and education in cross-cultural context, and she has published widely in this area. While in Nigeria she served as a consultant for
UNICEF
UNICEF (), originally called the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in full, now officially United Nations Children's Fund, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing Humanitarianism, humanitarian and Devel ...
(Nigeria) and designed a series of baseline surveys that became the model for assessing the status of children under five throughout the country.
In 1988, when her family left Nigeria for the United States, Wilson-Oyelaran became a visiting scholar in education at
North Carolina Wesleyan College
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a Private college, private United Methodist Church, Methodist university in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was founded in 1956. North Carolina Wesleyan also offers evening courses at its main Rocky Mo ...
and then associate professor and chair of the department of education at
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a historically black public university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina.
History
Winston-Salem State University was founded as Slater Industrial Academy o ...
. In 1995, she became Dean of the College at
Salem College
Salem College is a private women's liberal arts college in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Founded in 1772 as a primary school, it later became an academy (high school) and ultimately added the college. It is the oldest female educational establ ...
, and rose to the position of Vice President of Salem Academy and College and Dean of the College. She was also acting president of Salem College for a brief period.
In 2013, Wilson-Oyelaran was named chair of the board of directors of the
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) located in Washington D.C.. It is an organization of private American colleges and universities. Founded in 1976, it has over 1,000 independent hig ...
(NAICU).
Honors
Her honors and awards include the Kent Fellowship,
American Council on Education
The American Council on Education (ACE) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) U.S. higher education association established in 1918. ACE's members are the leaders of approximately 1,700 accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and higher education ...
Fellowship and the Visionary Leadership Award presented by the Claremont Colleges Intercollegiate Office of Black Studies. A proponent of equity and inclusion, Wilson-Oyelaran has been honored for her work on behalf of young women and girls. She is the recipient of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE) Gender Equity Architect Award, the
Salvation Army
Salvation (from Latin: ''salvatio'', from ''salva'', 'safe, saved') is the state of being saved or protected from harm or a dire situation. In religion and theology, ''salvation'' generally refers to the deliverance of the soul from sin and its c ...
's Strong, Smart, and Bold Award, and the
YWCA
The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is a nonprofit organization with a focus on empowerment, leadership, and rights of women, young women, and girls in more than 100 countries.
The World office is currently based in Geneva, Swi ...
Woman of Vision. In 2007
Mortar Board
Mortar Board is an American national honor society for college seniors. Mortar Board has 233 chartered collegiate chapters nationwide and 15 alumni chapters.
History
Mortar Board was the first national honor society for college senior women ...
National College Senior Honor Society presented her with the Alumni Achievement Award.
Personal life
She is married to Olasope Oyelaran
and they have raised four children: Adedoyin, Oyindasola, Omosalewa, and Oyeyinka.
References
External links
Oral history interviewon Wilson-Oyelaran's involvement with the Black Student Union at Pomona College
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson-Oyelaran, Eileen
1947 births
Living people
African-American academics
Presidents of Kalamazoo College
People from Los Angeles
Watson Fellows
Pomona College alumni
Claremont Graduate University alumni
American expatriates in Nigeria
Obafemi Awolowo University faculty
Salem College faculty
Pomona College trustees
21st-century African-American people
20th-century African-American people