Lydia Wims

Sr. Managing Partner & Sr. Executive VP

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Lydia Wims is a native of Cleveland Ohio who believes in educating our children and
providing ways for them to progress beyond high school. Embracing education as a
means for advancement, she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Kent
State University. Working as an administrator in higher education she has utilized her
expertise as an Innovative Educator, College/Career Navigator, and a Financial
Literacy Coach to build programs and develop students.
 

For over 30 years Lydia has worked to guide incoming freshmen towards graduation.
With a passion driven by personal experience as a first-generation student, she
provides aid to students she wishes had been afforded to her. The cohorts of first-
generation, low income, and students with documented disabilities with whom she
worked, increased their graduation rate by 70% compared to similar groups. Lydia is
enthusiastic about helping students who are transitioning from foster/guardianship,
single parents, and others to become their best self. She is particularly adept at
connecting and mentoring students to explore career options, negotiate salaries, create
budgets, and utilize other tools that aide them in becoming more financially literate.
 

Additionally, Lydia has assisted students in seeking experiential opportunities such as
participating in student organizations to build leadership skills, on and off campus
employment, internships, apprenticeships, and/or pursuing extra educational
opportunities. Feedback from her students affirmed they felt heard and received needed
support from the programming/services offered in career exploration, financial literacy,
budget management, and overall college experiences.