After two decades in the social work field, Amy Wheeler joined the Academy at University of Illinois - Springfield in October 2017 as a curriculum designer and simulation facilitator. She became the director in January 2020 and is enthusiastic about continuing to lead the UIS Alliance team in building innovative trainings that improve child and family wellbeing. 

Wheeler obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from James Madison University. She began her service as a child protection investigator, spending nearly ten years working Appalachian counties in her home state of Kentucky. She completed her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kentucky during that time, with an emphasis on community and family practice and a concentrated focus on family violence. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and is currently working towards her Doctorate of Public Administration at UIS.

A huge Wonder Woman fan, Amy is married with two children, Kade and Campbell. She and her wife (Dr. Celest Weuve of UIS) enjoy their bulldogs, football, and traveling.