If you are ever feeling lost and in need of a pep talk to get you into high gear, Greg Wilkins the Associate Director of Student Activities at Minnesota State University, Mankato, is the one to talk to. I still remember the first time I met Greg my freshman year of college and as a senior I still find myself listening in whenever I can to Greg when he is sharing his life story. With his high energy and numerous passions, Greg is an inspiration to students and reminds them to “Dream and dream big!”
Greg has visited over one third of all landmasses on planet earth and while on his travels he finds pleasure in the exploration of other cultures and volunteering his time for various causes. To continue his work, Greg will soon be leaving for a 16 week sabbatical abroad. During spring semester, Greg will visit Australia to work on reforestation efforts, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo and Bangladesh. Greg will also visit 13 universities during his time abroad to teach on creating multicultural societies and the importance of creating dynamic communities within communities.
His longest visit will be in Bangladesh, which has the second largest sweatshop concentration in the world, to combat the unjust working conditions. Bangladesh has made the news multiple times in recent years with fatal fires and collapses of sweatshops that have killed hundreds of sweatshop workers. As a recent recipient of the McKnight fellowship grant, Greg hopes to incorporate his documentation during his travels of stories and photography into his personal artwork.
Every cause, every trip Greg embarks on connects back to his personal mantra “creating a life of change, impacting the lives of the one or the many.” Greg’s passions developed from his desire to make a difference in the world and to change lives of others.
Greg has worked with the promotion of HIV/AIDS education. While in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, Greg worked with Human Sex Trafficking issues. Stateside Wilkins has lobbied the U.S. Congress on sexual orientation and gender/identity equality with the Human Rights Campaign. To promote economic wellness and prosperity, Greg has worked in various countries on using native crafts as a source of income.
Fun Facts:
- Greg has worked at colleges and universities across the United States including Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, California, Florida, Washington state and Washington, D.C.
- Greg has worked at the Smithsonian Institution at the Museum of American Art, the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC.
- Greg has completed two Olympics. The first in in 1988, Seoul, as a Korean–Equestrian Intern and in 1996, as the Olympic Village Supervisor for Athlete Services.
When Greg returns he will have even more tales to inspire Minnesota State University, Mankato students. Make sure to wish him luck with his travels!