Kenny Wheeler is the English Undergraduate Advisor at Western Illinois University.

M&L: What is your idea of perfect happiness?

KW: Happiness for me simply just comes from having a deep sense of gratitude for the things that I have been privileged with and have had an opportunity to earn through hard work, relationships, and God. I think being surrounded by good people in my life – my family and my closest friends – and living out my purpose through the work I get to do gives me fulfillment and joy.

M&L: What living person do you admire most?

KW: I have always admired my parents and my two younger brothers, but at this time [I] especially [admire] my dad. He has always been my greatest role model and friend. My mom passed away last year, and they were married for forty-nine years. To see him persevere through loss […] has been admirable, and I’m proud of his resilient spirit and his great love and care.

M&L: What is your most treasured possession?

KW: I’m not sure I have a treasured possession. There are certainly things I have that I am most proud of. I have a picture in my office of members of my track and field team at the 2015 state track & field meet. We won State that year, and it happened a year after we were stripped of our State title in 2014 when it was discovered that one of our own athletes illegally competed in a college meet without disclosing it to us (as coaches) […] That was a really difficult year, and to see them [the athletes] achieve such a victory when others doubted us was really cool. That is a group I will always remember with admiration.

M&L: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

KW: I have such a sweet tooth that I wish I was a bit more disciplined when it came to eating sweets.

M&L: Where would you most like to live?

KW: After traveling there last Summer with my family, I could definitely see myself living in Italy. Florence was one of my favorite cities. Otherwise, the mountains of Colorado would be awesome.

M&L: What talent would you most like to have?

KW: I continue to hone my craft, but I would love to be awesome at golf. LOL. It is something that I really take pride in improving in. I spent a lot of time practicing this summer and playing occasionally, and the time I have put in is really starting to pay off. It’s just a hard game, but I think that’s why I enjoy the challenge.

M&L: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

KW: While it is still in progress, raising our three daughters alongside my wife has been my greatest achievement and continues to be. It is no doubt one of the greatest challenges one can ever encounter, but nothing brings me greater joy and pride than watching them grow and become who they are now and will become in the future.

M&L: If you could choose another occupation, any occupation, what would it be?

KW: I think if I could do something differently, at least at where I’m at in my life, I would love to develop a holistic athletic training development facility for area high school athletes. It would focus not just on athletic development, but personal development, leadership development, preparing for college, and mentorship. I think this would be a great blend of all of the things that I really enjoy doing in both my job as an academic advisor and as a head track & field coach.

M&L: Who are your favorite writers?

KW: Some of my favorite writers are J.R.R. Tolkien, Maya Angelou, Ron Suskind, and Shawn Carter (Jay-Z).

M&L: What is your motto?

KW: “The road to success is always under construction” – Lily Tomlin
I think growth is always a process of learning, unlearning, reimagining what is possible, and a constant refinement of trying to be your best self. I think if you’re committed to the idea of finding time for self-reflection and having the humility that you can always be better, that it’s a lifelong journey, and one that can bring a lot of self-fulfillment and joy.