Emily Wilkinson

Emily Wilkinson, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of Public Art in the Office of Facilities Planning & Construction, joining the department in early 2014.

Working with a committee, Dr. Wilkinson oversees the Public Art Collection and Program at the Texas Tech University System, which solicits, evaluates, and commissions original public artworks to complement construction projects undertaken by the Office of Facilities Planning & Construction. She also handles the upkeep, maintenance, and public education of the artworks in the collection.

Prior to her role as Executive Director of Public Art, Dr. Wilkinson was the Helen DeVitt Jones Endowed Manager of Education for the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas. She also has worked as a museum educator for the Lubbock Lake Landmark, Museum of Texas Tech University, and the Science Spectrum and OMNI Theater.

Dr. Wilkinson holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Texas Tech University. Her study focused on undergraduate student perceptions of how campus public art can create a sense of belonging.

She currently serves as a board member for Civic Lubbock Inc. and the Science Spectrum, as well as the Vice President for Programs on the Texas Association of Museums’ Board of Directors. She is a 2015 recipient of Lubbock’s Top 20 Under 40 and 2023 recipient of YWCA of Lubbock’s Women of Excellence award.