Katie Wiley

Background

About Katie Wiley

I am a higher education leader with more than a decade of experience building strategic partnerships that connect students, employers, and universities in meaningful ways. My work sits at the intersection of talent development, employer engagement, and career outcomes, where I focus on designing systems that expand opportunity for students while helping organizations access emerging talent.As the Director of Employer Relations at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I lead initiatives that strengthen the university’s employer engagement ecosystem. My team manages campus recruiting strategy, including large-scale career fairs, employer partnerships, and UT’s recruiting platform, Handshake. Together, we work to create intentional, high-impact connections between employers and the Volunteer student community while supporting the university’s broader commitment to career readiness and workforce alignment.Throughout my career, I have contributed to multiple areas of student success—including orientation, residence life, academic advising, and engineering career development. These experiences have shaped my leadership philosophy: strong outcomes emerge when institutions collaborate across silos and center people in the process. I am energized by building partnerships, aligning teams around shared goals, and creating systems that allow both students and organizations to thrive.I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where my research explores the experiences of professional staff in higher education and the evolving dynamics of work, leadership, and organizational culture.My CliftonStrengths—Woo, Positivity, Communication, Includer, Maximizer, Empathy, and Learner—reflect how I lead: by connecting people, cultivating momentum, and helping individuals and teams realize their full potential.