Summit Presenter Spotlight: Shari and Dr. Alysha Collins
December 6, 2023
From January 24-26, 2024, the National Mentoring Summit will convene mentoring practitioners, researchers, philanthropic investors, youth leaders, government and civic leaders, and Affiliates from across the country to unite under the shared goal of driving positive change for young people.
In the months leading up to the Summit, we’ll be introducing you to some of the presenters who will be sharing their insights and expertise in dynamic, informative workshop sessions. To learn more or register for the Summit, click here!
Names: Shari and Dr. Alysha Collins
Session: Bringing Joy and Happiness to Mentoring: How to Create a Kinder Space for All
Shari Collins’ career spans across education, training/development, and DEI. With over 20 years in the DEI field, Shari enjoys speaking, consulting and training across the globe in various industries. She has been a TA Consultant for MENTOR Nebraska for 2 years, and she also works with the National Education Association, facilitating DEI professional development across the country.
In 2022, Shari graduated from Inclusive Communities’ Lead Diversity Cohort, which is a year of DEI leadership training. Shari graduated from Hastings College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Communication Arts, and English, and from University of Nebraska Omaha with a Master’s Degree in Education.
Shari loves reading and learning, caring for her plants, travelling, and spending time with her family, which includes 2 rescue Yorkie sisters. She is serving her 2nd year on the Omaha Chamber’s CODE (Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity and Equity) Planning Team, and she is a Board Member for the Human Resource Association of the Midlands, serves as the co-chair of the HRAM DEI Committee and the chair of the HRAM IDEAL Award.
Want to learn more about Shari’s passion areas? Just ask!
Dr. Alysha Collins is an internationally certified School Psychologist and certified Administrator who enjoys supporting students, teachers, and their families. Alysha obtained her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership. Her dissertation included studying hope and positive psychology during COVID-19 and other crises. Alysha is also an adjunct instructor of university psychology classes and consults with agencies on mental health, educational research and wellbeing in the workplace. Prior to her most recent degree, she received her Educational Specialist Degree and worked at Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools as a School Psychologist for 5 years.
Alysha likes to apply her experience with trauma, hope, positive psychology, mindfulness and DEI to all of her work. She is very excited to help bring hope and happiness to others. Alysha is currently based in London, United Kingdom.
Could you introduce yourselves and share a bit about your work?
Alysha: My name is Alysha Collins. I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and recently moved to London, England. I trained as a School Psychologist and worked in public schools in and around the Omaha area for about 4 years. In the meantime, I simultaneously completed my Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership and worked on my dissertation where I studied positive psychology and hope in the midst of a crisis. This prompted me to move on to work in the consultant space with various agencies. The companies included MENTOR Nebraska, Vital Network, Mental Health at Work (United Kingdom), Inclusive Communities, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Presence Learning. Specifically, with MENTOR Nebraska, I trained in the National Quality Mentoring System (NQMS). Currently, I am an Internationally Certified Educational Psychologist helping students from around the world in the United Kingdom while also continuing my passion for consulting with adults in positive psychology, burnout, retention, happiness, and mental health.
Shari: I’ve lived in Omaha my entire adult life, and I’m a retired educator. I have been a TA Consultant with MENTOR Nebraska for over two years, and I have been informally involved in mentoring for over 40 years, and formally for ten years. I co-led a mentoring program in Iowa for first- and second-year teachers for seven years, and worked on a two-year contract with the National Education Association (NEA) in the Early Career Learning Lab, where we mentor-coached first-, second-, and third-year educators across the country. In my second contract with NEA, I facilitated a virtual professional learning community called “Peer Mentoring and Coaching.” I’m passionate about the intersections of DEI with mentoring, as well as mentoring in the workplace, as key retention and success strategies.
I’ve recently joined the CMWS (Collaborative Mentoring Webinar Series) to plan our 2024 webinar series, under the leadership of Jake Sullivan. I’ve also presented on the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring (EEP) to both cohorts of the Emerging Mentoring Leaders Institute (EMLI), developed by MENTOR Nebraska this year. Susie Owens and I recently presented on “Mentoring Mindset” at the Omaha CODE Conference, which had over 800 attendees.
I am a DEI Consultant, Trainer and Speaker, and I value the importance of mentoring in various industries. I also work as a part time consultant for Inclusive Communities and the Vital Network, in addition to MENTOR Nebraska and the National Education Association.
As for positive psychology, I started studying it in 2012, which began as a simple book study at my workplace. I now lead Book Studies for companies that are interested in this topic! I’ve incorporated it into training across many sectors and discuss it as a valuable component of workplace and personal satisfaction. I was so excited during my training on Becoming a Better Mentor to see Chapter 3, “Making Room for Fun and Play!” This chapter discusses how joy is an important part of mentoring, and I instantly made the connection to positive psychology and hope, and started thinking of a workshop for the Summit!
Have you attended the National Mentoring Summit before? If so, what were some of the takeaways – and why did you decide to come back? If not, what are you most looking forward to?
Shari: I have attended the National Mentoring Summit only one time, and I presented on Adverse Child Experiences (ACEs) and Trauma and the Impact on the Mentoring Relationship. It was moved to a virtual conference a few weeks before, due to a surge in COVID. I’m so excited to be able to present in person this year, and I’m presenting with my amazing daughter! I also love the vibrancy of DC!
Alysha: I have not attended the National Mentoring Summit before. I am most looking forward to spending time with my talented mom, learning from other mentoring professionals from around the US, and networking with other passionate individuals.
Could you describe the session you’ll be presenting? How did you land on this particular topic?
We will be presenting a session on happiness and positive psychology at an individual level, mentor level, and organizational level. As working professionals, we know how important it is to not only enjoy your work, but also be in an organization that values your wellbeing and prioritizes your strengths. When organizations apply positive principles to the entire institution, it can have an incredible ripple effect. We will share some data and statistics, (in a fun way, of course), as well as practical activities that can be implemented right away. Adhering to adult learner theory, we will honor attendees learning from each other, offer times for active participation, and fun!
Your session focuses on joy, happiness, and kindness. What are you hoping people will take away?
We are hoping people have fun at our session and take away simple ways to activate happiness in their lives right away!
Hear from Shari, Alysha, and more than 175 other session presenters at the National Mentoring Summit in Washington, D.C. in January. Register today!