Lynn Marie Burks, Ph.D.

Lynn Marie Burks, Ph.D. is an accomplished 30-year education executive with a Ph.D. in Leadership and Human Resource Studies from Colorado State University, demonstrating a proven track record in implementing effective transformations. Dr. Burks currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) for the Brent Sopel Foundation, is the Chief Associate for HYA & Associates, guides a team of executive consultants under the “Higher Education Collaborative”, serves as an assessment/student success leader for Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a member of the Innovative Executives League, and serves on the Board of Directors for AAUA and co-hosts a Podcast “The Next Frontier”. Prior, Dr. Burks served as the Executive Director for the Jacobson Institute. Burks launched the institute from the ground up, establishing a governance structure, securing revenue, and launching innovative programming supporting the future world of work and learning. Most profoundly, Burks created innovative revenue streams pivoting the endowed institute to self-sustaining and awarded a 3 Million dollar grant from the Department of Labor to innovate workforce systems. In higher ed, Burks's experience includes being a tenured professor, National Faculty Chair, College of Business Dean, and eventually served as the Dean of Faculty/The Center for Excellence at DVU Education Group leading 3000 geographically diversified faculty/staff Burks founded the center and lead multiple system-wide transformation efforts including a LMS migration, AI/predictive analytics, modernized curriculum revamp, and hyperflex modality adoption. Burks spent 25 years in the classroom, founded experiential learning and global programs, and received multiple awards recognizing her leadership and teaching excellence, including Professor of the Year by The Carnegie Foundation. In P-12, Burks served as the Board of Ed President. Over her 24-year tenure, Dr. Burks was a pillar of strength leading a district of 10,000 students through innovation and growth. Under her leadership, the district doubled its footprint and exponentially grew educational outcomes and learning opportunities for students. Dr. Burks fostered collaborative relationships between community partners and businesses to expand funding and programming. Her tenure saw the launch of a community-based early childhood center, preschool program, full-day kindergarten for every child, co-authored/opened a Freshman Academy, 1:1/blended learning, an outcomes-based grading ecosystem, pioneered a district-wide dual language program, domestic/global learning extensions beyond the classroom. During COVID, Burks spearheaded a business continuity plan that kept students actively engaged in learning and was the largest school district to remain open in the state of Illinois. Her steadfast commitment to access and excellence regardless of circumstances yielded statistically significant achievement gains compared to other districts. Before moving to higher education, Dr. Burks was a senior analyst and served as special assistant to the Sr VP of Survey Research at NORC at the University of Chicago engaging in work for NIH, NICHD, ETS, and US News and World Report. Burks has produced over 100 publications, keynotes, workshops, and presentations. She is a certified career coach and holds a certificate in Design Thinking. Relentless in her support of learners of all ages and systems, Burks’ core strength lies in her proficiency across the entire spectrum of education, learning, and operations.