Published 2/29/2024

Megan Wilkinson, senior executive assistant in the Office of the Dean at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, was honored as a recipient of a 2024 Mizzou 18 Award by the Mizzou Alumni Association. Chosen for their world-class research, collaboration with faculty and staff, and demonstrated leadership, the award is dedicated to honoring 18 graduate and professional students in the last year of their degree eligibility.

Wilkinson, who has worked at Mizzou since 2012, will soon complete her master’s degree in higher education and student affairs and a graduate certificate in higher education administration. The two-year accelerated program is all online and includes 33 hours of coursework and a capstone project. Wilkinson says that working in higher education, and more specifically, at the CVM, drove her to learn more about the subject.

“I wanted to have a deeper understanding of higher education and how academia works as a whole,” said Wilkinson. “It has helped me understand student development theories, as well as strengths and barriers that students may face while getting their degree. It absolutely helped to also be working in a school, especially one as strenuous as this one.”

Wilkinson says that she learned a lot about herself while earning her master’s degree. “I didn’t go back to school for 20 years because of the fear of failure,” she said. “Throughout this program I have had the opportunity to see how hard work can make you successful and I really found my voice in academia. Going through this has made me realize how much I like learning about an area or topic that I feel passionately about.”

Displaying leadership is an important part of being selected as a recipient of the Mizzou 18. Wilkinson has served as the chair of the CVM’s Staff Advisory Council and the Chancellor’s Family Friendly Committee and served as a member of the MU Staff Advisory Council, the MU Executive Council and the Inter-Campus Staff Advisory Council. She also demonstrated her initiative by starting the CVM Community Chest, a food and resource pantry that serves CVM community members in need, including students, postdoctoral fellows, undergraduates, house officers, staff and faculty.

As part of the Mizzou 18, honorees are asked to select a faculty or staff mentor who has impacted their journey and the lives of MU students. Wilkinson chose to honor CVM Professor of Veterinary Oncology and former Dean Carolyn Henry, DVM, MS, as her selection. “Carolyn never doubted my abilities and her unwavering belief in me empowered me to tackle ambitious goals and dream of what is possible.”

Wilkinson says she is proud to be selected as a recipient of the Mizzou 18 Award. “It’s humbling that I’m being honored with my classmates, who I know have done great things for the university,” she said. “To be in that arena with them is absolutely amazing to me and a great honor. It’s great for the University of Missouri to recognize the work that students are putting in to accomplish their dreams and make a difference.”

By Nick Childress