Dr. Carmen Walters

Dr. Carmen J. Walters is the 14th president of this Tougaloo College.

As the college celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary and embraces what lies ahead in the new era of higher education, Dr. Walters brings a depth of executive-level leadership and knowledge in such vital areas as strategic planning in enrollment, facilities management, grant and budget management, workforce development, community and diversity relations and athletics management.

Dr. Walters succeeded Dr. Beverly Wade Hogan. Dr. Hogan has served as Tougaloo’s president since May 2002. She is the first woman and the 13th president to lead Tougaloo.

“This position is a dream come true for me,” Dr. Walters said. “Tougaloo has such a rich and powerful history. You can feel it when you arrive on the campus and walk these hallowed grounds. It’s a great challenge and opportunity for me to help preserve that wonderful history but also carry Tougaloo forward so that it’s here another 150 years.”

Dr. Hogan said, “I am tremendously excited about the selection of Dr. Walters, and it will be my privilege to pass the baton of leadership to her. She brings a combined level of experiences, commitment and mature judgement that are useful in any leadership role. Her understanding and appreciation of the college’s history and mission, as well as her demonstrated commitment to faculty and student success, will be impactful in moving the college into its best years.”

Walters has served more than 24 years in community college education. She spent the past six years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, where she was executive vice president of enrollment management, student success and institutional relations. Prior to that she worked 18 years at Delgado Community College in New Orleans.

Dr. Walters received a bachelor of science in accounting and business administration from Southern (Louisiana) University in 1984, a master of arts degree in postsecondary counseling from [UNCF-member institution] Xavier University in New Orleans in 1990 and her Ph.D. in community college leadership from Mississippi State University in 2009.

She is married to Wayne Walters, and the couple has two grown daughters, Taeshaun Walters and Tierra Walters Mackie.