December 6, 2024
UAA statement on leadership transition for the Robinson Center for Young Scholars
Undergraduate Academic Affairs is recognizing Dr. Kristina Henry Collins for her leadership of the Robinson Center for Young Scholars. After much consideration, Dr. Collins has decided to resign from her position of executive director of the Robinson Center, effective Jan. 27, 2025. She intends to continue her research, teaching and leadership foci of broad-based advocacy for equity and access in STEM, gifted and accelerated programming for students from kindergarten through college.
During her time as executive director, Dr. Collins and the Robinson Center’s directors:
- Updated the Center’s mission, vision and values to align with the UW’s Diversity Blueprint and addressed operational recommendations from an evaluation taskforce.
- Made the Transition School application more accessible, leading to an increase in students, scholarships and student diversity.
- Increased enrollment for all Robinson Center programs, which include Transition School, Academy and Enrichment.
- Developed a new partnership with the Auburn School District to support student transportation needs and increase access to Robinson Center summer programs.
- Enlivened community and donor outreach through a refreshed e-newsletter; saw record giving for the Center’s involvement in Husky Giving Day; and reinstated parent programming.
As a public scholar and expert in the field of gifted and talented education, Dr. Collins has advised the Seattle Public School District and Washington state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction on matters related to equity in education for highly capable learners. She is co-author, with Javetta Jones Roberson, of the 2024 book “Sparking Change to Promote Equity: Implementing Culturally Responsive Leadership Practices in Gifted and Advanced Programs” and works with the national nonprofit Council for Exceptional Children to create standards for gifted education that can inform standards for different states.
For more than 40 years, the Robinson Center has offered accelerated learning opportunities to young learners who are highly capable and motivated. It is recognized as a national leader in this field.
As plans for the Robinson Center’s next steps take shape, LeAnne Wiles has been appointed to serve as interim executive director. This decision reflects Wiles’ outstanding leadership and extensive expertise, honed over 15 years of experience in organizational management and student success initiatives within UAA’s First-Year Programs and Student Academic Services. Wiles will continue to work under the leadership of Dr. Michaelann Jundt to ensure the Robinson Center’s continued success.
Contact: Kirsten Atik, katik@uw.edu