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Beverly Walker-Griffea

Walker-Griffea was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised in North Tulsa.^[1] Her mother was a teacher and her father a pastor.^[1] She earned a B.S. degree in radio, television, and film and public affairs at Oklahoma State University.^[2][3] She completed a M.Ed. in guidance and counseling at Virginia State University.^[2][3] Walker-Griffea received a Ph.D. in child development from Texas Woman's University.^[2][3]

Walker-Griffea was an academic counselor at Old Dominion University.^[1] She worked as the interim dean of health and environmental sciences at Spokane Community College.^[4] She was dean of student development at Houston Community College.^[2] In 2006, she became vice president for student affairs at Thomas Nelson Community College.^[2] She worked as the senior vice president for student services at Montgomery College from 2011 to 2014.^[5][3] On August 27, 2014, Walker-Griffea became seventh president of Mott Community College, succeeding Richard Shaink.^[5][4] She was the first woman and African American to serve in the role.^[6] In 2023, she was named the chief executive officer of the year by the American Association of Community Colleges.^[7] She retired on May 24, 2014, and was named president emeritus.^[8] In May 2024, Walker-Griffea was named by governor Gretchen Whitmer as the inaugural director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), succeeding interim director Michelle Richard.^[6] Her appointment begins on June 24, 2024.^[6]