John M. Burns Conference

Keynote Speaker

Vicki is the founder and owner of Compassionate Connections Consulting, an organization that assists higher education professionals in building quality connections with colleagues and students inside and outside the classroom. Vicki is a career educator and has spent more than 30 years working in higher education, serving in a variety of administrative leadership roles at multiple universities. Since moving into faculty development in 2014, she has found particular joy in partnering with faculty and departments on course and curriculum design, and in facilitating workshops that help educators create more meaningful learning experiences for students. Her work in compassionate pedagogy is deeply shaped by her research on faculty-student connection, as well as by her belief that care, empathy, and human connection are essential to effective teaching and learning and has presented on this topic at numerous local and national conferences.

A significant part of Vicki’s professional journey also includes ten years as a National Trainer for the One Circle Foundation, where she trained educators, social workers, and juvenile justice professionals to facilitate Girls Circles—small groups designed to create safe, supportive spaces for girls and young adults. She also collaborated with colleagues in higher education to write three Women’s Circle curricula for college women for the organization. This work strengthened her skills as a facilitator and deepened her commitment to helping people feel seen, heard, supported, and connected.

Vicki is especially passionate about helping faculty and staff better understand and support students, and about encouraging women’s growth and leadership development. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading, going to the movies, and spending time with her husband, three daughters, son-in-law, and baby granddaughter, Emmy Kate.

Vicki holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Education from Otterbein University and a master’s and PhD in Higher Education Studies, with a focus on Higher Education and Student Affairs, from The Ohio State University.