Heart and Help: Carol Wilson Retires
When Assistant Professor Carol Wilson ‘88 reflects on her 35 years at USF Law, one lesson stands out above all: “The biggest thing I’ve learned is how to see the world through other people’s eyes,” she says. “It’s been by far the greatest education I’ve had in my life, and I couldn’t have imagined a better career. I have truly loved ASP all these years.”
Wilson, who retires this summer as co-director of the Academic Support Program (ASP), graduated from USF Law in 1988 and practiced attorney malpractice defense with Long & Levit before returning to USF in 1990. Drawn by her meaningful experience as an ASP tutor during her third year of law school, and with a background in teaching English as a Second Language, Wilson knew early on that teaching was where she belonged.
She quickly discovered that her work at ASP would involve much more than academic support. “I was terrified the first few years because I assumed my job was purely to help students with the academic side,” she recalls. “I rapidly learned that academic support doesn’t work unless you deal with the whole person. So I wear a million hats. One day, I’m a counselor. The next, a financial advisor. I’ve babysat. I’ve taken care of pets. I’ve celebrated with people.”
Over the decades, Wilson became a steady, empathetic presence for generations of students, helping them navigate not only the rigors of law school but also the life challenges that inevitably arose. Heidi Ho ‘97, Wilson’s co-director and former student, says, “For me, Carol is ASP… her heart, her warmth, her humor, and her smarts. She taught me how to read, write, think critically, and IRAC. Returning to USF to work side by side with Caroll for the past 10 years has been such a gift.”
Wilson has seen the rhythms of the law school year repeat with remarkable consistency. “I’ve relived the first year of law school thirty-six times, including my own,” she says, smiling. “I know all the ups and downs. I can predict when people will come in and cry - that’s week three. But ASP keeps you on your toes because you never know what’s going to come through your door.”
Judge Nichelle Holmes ’10, an ASP alumna, recalls Wilson as offering “unwavering support” and says, “through her encouragement, dedication, and belief in my potential, she reinforced the confidence I carried with me and helped me grow into the lawyer and judge I aspired to become.”
Among her many contributions, Wilson introduced ASP’s annual ‘family night’, an initiative designed to help students’ families understand the intense demands of law school. “Life doesn’t stop because you go to law school,” she explains. “But families don’t always realize how much pressure students are under. Family night helped bridge that gap, giving students an opportunity to bring everybody on board.” As she steps away from her role, Wilson is looking forward to the next chapter. “Number one, I’m going to take a big trip,” she says. “Number two, I’m going to adopt a rescue dog. And number three: I’m going to goof around and give the dog a really good life.”
