Dr. Patricia Wilson earned her undergraduate degree in English from Bucknell University and a Masters degree in School Library/Media from West Virginia University. She received her Ed.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois in 1993 where her dissertation work at the Center for the Study of Reading explored the effectiveness of graphic organization on the learning outcomes of middle school science students.

In 2004, Dr. Wilson was hired as Executive Director of the Council on Teacher Education at the University of Illinois where she was responsible for campus-wide leadership for programs leading to the professional certification of educators.

Prior to 2004, she spent 31 years in a variety of public school positions, including serving as a school principal for ten years.