Brookline Resident Benaree Wiley Receives Honorary Degree

William James College, a leader in educating the next generation of mental health professionals, awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Humane Letters) to Brookline resident Benaree Wiley, Principal of The Wiley Group on Sunday, June 3 during the College’s 38th commencement. Wiley also delivered the commencement address.

Wiley spent her formative years in a segregated Washington, D.C.; one of her earliest memories is celebrating the passage of Brown v. Board of Education with her father. In May 1954, he came home with a bottle of champagne to toast her, then eight years-old, and her 11-year-old sister, because, as he explained, the landmark ruling meant that now they could become anything they wanted to be. That memory has informed and directed the course of Wiley’s life.

“The accomplishments Bennie Wiley has made throughout her career speak volumes about her dedication toward diversifying Boston’s workforce and increasing opportunities for people of color,” said Dr. Nicholas Covino, president of William James College. “I am grateful that Bennie was able to deliver our commencement address, and am proud to have presented her with an honorary degree.”

Aside from her role at The Wiley Group, Benaree Wiley is Director on boards of the Dreyfus Mutual Funds, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and CBIZ. She also serves on the boards of Dress for Success Boston, Partners Continuing Care, the Black Philanthropy Fund, The Efficacy Institute and Howard University. For fifteen years, she was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Partnership, Inc., a Boston-based nonprofit that helps organizations attract, retain and develop leadership skills in multicultural professionals. She is a frequent speaker on leadership, diversity and professional development. Wiley received her bachelor’s degree from Howard University and her M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

About William James College

William James College is a leader in educating the next generation of mental health professionals to support the growing and diverse needs of the mental health workforce. Integrating field work with academics, the College prepares students for careers as organizational leaders and behavioral health professionals who are committed to helping the underserved, multicultural populations, children and families and veterans. William James College graduates can be found making an impact in a variety of settings, including schools, the courts, clinical care facilities, hospitals, the community and the workplace. For more information, please visit http://www.williamjames.edu/.