Olivia P. Collins, Ph.D., CFLE, passed away on December 13, 2022. She was an NCFR member for 18 years, and a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) for more than 10 years.  

Dr. Collins completed her bachelor's degree with honors in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin—her first career was in journalism, and through it, she learned to express herself through connecting with arts and nonprofit organizations. She earned her master's degree in human development and the family at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and then at Kansas State University, she completed her doctorate in human ecology—her mentorship and teaching spirit shone through the attainment of her advanced degrees and opened the door for her to enrich and impact the lives of students, colleagues and the larger community. 

After completing her doctorate degree, Dr. Collins remained at Kansas State University and was there up to her retirement in 2010. While at Kansas State University, she served in several roles across multiple units— 4-H Youth Programs, UFM Community Learning Center, School of Family Studies and Human Services, College of Human Ecology dean’s office, and the Staley School of Leadership. In the Staley School, she served as assistant professor and director of the American Humanics program, and the nonprofit focus within the leadership studies minor, a program she co-founded. She represented Kansas State University as one of the first three institutions to have a program with CFLE certification. Dr. Collins has been widely lauded, by friends and colleagues, for her ability to make meaningful connections with others, shining her light on education and mentoring. 

Dr. Collins was recognized throughout her career for outstanding contributions to education and developing youth, and for her community leadership. She believed in community and the spirit of philanthropy and gave of herself to a number of nonprofit organizations, both monetarily and voluntarily. She was named Leader of the Year from Kansas Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and NCFR “Award of Appreciation.” Dr. Collins also received the university’s “Dr. Susan Ariola Bosco Putting Students First” award and was celebrated by her Staley School students and colleagues with “The Rost Outstanding Faculty/Staff” award and the “Susan M. Scott Community Leadership Award.” She was also a recipient of the “Wildcat Pride” award for her advocacy of KSU alumni relations. 

You can read her full obituary here. 

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