Dr. Kelsey Wilson is a proud native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She is the daughter of Vonda James and Charles Wilson. Dr. Wilson is also a Licentiate in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Kelsey Wilson journeyed to Fargo, North Dakota in 2018 to work on her Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision at North Dakota State University (NDSU). She reached her goal, which was to finish in 3 years. She learned counseling at an advance level to integrate faith in mental health. She further found a love of teaching at the graduate level and had the honor to work in a church counseling center as a clinical intern.
Dr. Wilson was a graduate teaching assistant in the School of Education (2020) and graduate service assistant in the Student Activities Office (2019-2020) teaching NDSU fraternity and sorority members, how to cultivate their leadership style. Dr. Wilson believes that attending North Dakota State University was designed to purpose her calling in multiple facets in life established in the work of God, watching as God created paths of provision along the way. She remained mindful of the double conscious encounters she would face daily as a southern African American woman living in the Midwest region; however, God was ever present. Dr. Wilson transcended the many barriers with the help of God in prayer, following immediate action to accomplish several tasks with the unwavering support of her committee members, the Black Church in the Midwest and South, and those who could see to help accomplish this divine purpose.
In the journey she later learned she was the first African American woman to receive a PhD degree in Counselor Education and Supervision at North Dakota State University, and first black doctoral student to accomplish this degree in 3 years at a predominately white institution of higher education.
On March 24th, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. (CST), she defended her dissertation, entitled “Professional Identity Development: Perceptions of African American Female Counselor Educators’ Success in Ph.D. Degree Completion at Predominately White Institutions”. Upon completion of her dissertation defense, her identity changed to Dr. Wilson!
