Senior Administrators

Special Advisor to the President for Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships

Valerie Simmons-Walston

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Valerie Simmons-Walston was named to lead a new initiative to enhance the University’s community engagement efforts as special advisor to the president for community engagement and strategic partnerships effective July 1, 2022.

Simmons-Walston joined The University of Toledo in 2017 as associate vice president of student affairs and director of residence life. In her role, she is responsible for Residence Life, Housing, the Student Union, Upward Bound, Toledo Excel and Recreational Services. In 2019 UToledo students nominated Simmons-Walston to be inducted as an honorary member to the Blue Key Honor Society. She served as interim vice president for student affairs from 2021 to 2022.

Originally from Cleveland, Simmons-Walston has more than 20 years of public education experience, including nearly 15 years in higher education.

Simmons-Walston came to Toledo from Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga. where during the course of 11 years she held numerous roles specializing in student retention and success, judicial officer and culminating in the position of dean of students. Simmons-Walston also served as a guidance director for eight years in the Norfolk Public Schools system.

In 2012, Simmons-Walston received Brenau University’s Haggerman-Thompson Excellence Award for her work with students, faculty and staff.

Simmons-Walston earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Kent State University and her master’s degree in counseling from Hampton University. She is currently writing her dissertation for her doctorate degree at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.