Dr. Yvonne Watson is a seasoned higher education professional and visionary leader with a devout servant leadership lifestyle and an acute sense of civility, respect, and engagement in the workplace. She has experience leading, designing, developing, and implementing educational programs in higher education, non-profits, and faith-based entities. She is known for sharing countless messages on servant leadership, the role of discipline in education, and its impact on the process of learning and adult education.

 

Dr. Watson holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Master’s degree in Higher Education, and a Doctorate degree in Education Leadership. She has extensive experience serving as a higher education administrator. Dr. Watson has held several leadership higher education leadership positions as a Supervisor of Off-Campus Programs, Director of Student Retention and Graduation, and District Director of Developmental Education. She continues her work in higher education by positively impacting learning environments for students as an adjunct professional teaching math, business administration, and software applications courses.

 

Utilizing a servant leadership approach to improve the lives of others, Dr. Watson focuses on creating lively, active atmospheres which cultivate deep learning while simultaneously maintaining high academic standards. She is considered an education innovator whose customized teaching approach meets students at their level of need and utilizes teaching methodologies that work best for them. Additionally, she has designed customized curriculums for construction industries to help fill critically needed positions and help low-income residents pursue careers that earn a livable wage; thus, becoming self-sufficient.

 

Dr. Watson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the For My W.I.S.H. Foundation (F.M.W.F.), a faith-based training organization created to support local school districts reduce the educational needs gap for children and adults by providing additional learning opportunities for all grade levels. The F.M.W.F. Workforce Development Program is an academic job readiness program designed to help individuals obtain employment through comprehensive skills training. The program is customized based on employer needs and includes interpersonal skills training, soft skills training, resume writing, financial literacy, and interviewing skills and techniques.

 

Regardless of its form, Dr. Watson believes that workforce development must develop workers who think critically, work collaboratively, use technology, communicate well — orally and in writing, and conduct themselves well ethically. She's also maintained partnerships with the State of Ohio, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, and collaborations with several non-profit agencies to provide workforce development training for inmates as they prepare to transition back into society.

 

Dr. Watson is known for sharing countless messages on believing there is life after disappointment, success despite failure, and messages addressing “second-chances.”  She can often be heard expressing her sincere love and reverence to God for a “changed” life, and quoting the scripture after every message she shares, “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.” Philippians 2:16.