Lisa Yvetta Collins
Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Lisa Collins earned her Ed.D. from Lewis & Clark College, where her autoethnographic dissertation examined trauma, racial healing, and leadership through the lived experiences of a Black female educator in predominantly white school systems.
With over 30 years of experience in K–12 and higher education, she has served in both building- and district-level leadership roles focused on equity, belonging, and organizational coherence.
She is currently an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Founder of Education Through Engagement, LLC. A nationally recognized trauma practitioner, consultant, and speaker, Dr. Collins bridges research and practice in trauma-informed leadership, racial healing, wellness, and organizational development, partnering with schools, districts, and organizations to foster environments where individuals and communities can heal and thrive.
Personal Statement
A respected healing leader, life coach, trauma practitioner, and professor, Dr. Collins brings deep expertise in trauma and resilience to her transformative approach to healing, rooted in personal reflection and restorative practice. Her work weaves together the power of nature, storytelling, and trauma recovery to help individuals and communities reclaim their strength, restore their well-being, and move toward lasting wholeness.
.
Areas of Expertise
Organizational Culture & Leadership, Trauma Healing in Organizations, Wellness-Centered Organizational Frameworks, School Leadership & Well-Being, Strategies for Trauma Awareness & Response (STAR), Family & Community Engagement, Building Resilience in Organizations
TRAINING
Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) 2015
Conscious Freedom Life Coaching 2019
Developmental Individual Differences Relationship Model 2005
Current Research
Collins, L. Y. (2023). Healing racial trauma from public school systems. Journal of Research Initiatives, 8 (1). https://digitalcommons.uncfsu.edu/jri/vol8/iss1/3/
Dissertation: Racial Healing: A Consciousness Journey Through Autoethnography 2021
Publications
PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES
Collins, L. Y. (2023). Brown v. Board of Education. In Leadership and policy in urban education: 21st century issues and controversies. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Collins, L. Y. (2023). Healing racial trauma from public school systems. Journal of Research Initiatives, 8(1). https://digitalcommons.uncfsu.edu/jri/vol8/iss1/3/
Collins, L. Y., & Khalifa, M. (2023). Transforming educator preparation [Multimedia presentation and case study]. EdPrep Lab.
Collins, L. Y. (2025). The truth about trauma: Break patterns, build resilience, and restore joy. Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.
Collins, L. Y. (2022). Love and light: A guide to peace and oneness. Archway Publishing.
Presentations
INVITED TALKS
Lewis & Clark College Alumni Board Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Presentation Expanding Care to Interrupt Barriers 2023
Keynote Speaker, Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators (ORABSE) Educator Symposium 2023: Building Educational Excellence 2023
Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative, Oregon State University, Wellness and Community Health Through the Lens of Trauma Awareness and Resilience 2022
Association of Black Researchers Conference, National Black Researchers Week Resources and Research Trauma-Informed Panel 2022
BIPOC Night Wellness Talkback Facilitation, Portland Playhouse, Titus Andronicus 2022
Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) Summer and Peacebuilding Institute (SPI) guest lecturer, Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience 2022
Equity Wellness in Challenging Times, Oregon City Equity Conference 2021
Wellness for Challenging Times in Post-Secondary, Portland State University 2021
PRESENTATIONS
American Association of Blacks in Higher Education Conference, Pathways to Success in Higher Education, Healing Racial Trauma 2026
American Association of Blacks in Higher Education Conference: Dismantling the System, Pushing Consciousness Coaching for White Colleagues, 2025
Western States Center’s Commons Civil Leadership Cohort Participant 2025
Association for Comprehensive Energy and Psychology, Energy and Healing Summit 2024
Energy Medicine Summit Speaker, Clearing Negative Belief Patterns 2023
UCEA Annual Convention Session Presentation, Racial Consciousness in Partnership Work: Three Faculty Members Journeys, (Collins, Galloway, Barrett, 2023). 2023
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, Wellness As The Foundation of Community 2023
Paltown Board Presentation, Care as a framework for diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Practices, 2023
Multnomah Educator Rising collaboration with Oregon Educator Association Trust, Educator Wellness 2023
Keynote Speaker, Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators (ORABSE) Educator Symposium 2023: Building Educational Excellence 2023
Lewis & Clark College Alumni Board Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Presentation Expanding Care to Interrupt Barriers 2023
Academic Credentials
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Educational Leadership 2021 Dissertation: Racial Healing: A Consciousness Journey Through Autoethnography 2021 Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon
Master of Science (M.S.), Education 2002, National University, Los Angeles, California
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology 1988, California State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, California