Virginia Union University will welcome Melva K. Wallace, president and CEO of Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, as the speaker for its opening convocation on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. in the Allix B. James Chapel.

Wallace brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education and is a nationally recognized advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

A Presidential Leadership Scholar, Wallace has studied under three U.S. presidents and received numerous honors, including the ATHENA Award and recognition by Diverse Issues in Higher Education as one of the top 25 dynamic women in higher education. She was also named to the Austin Business Journal’s “Texas 100” list of Most Influential Professionals to Watch. 

Her work includes co-teaching the course “The Business of Trap Music” with Grammy-winning rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris. She also helped found the Higher Education Leadership Foundation, which has trained more than 500 HBCU leaders, many of whom now serve as presidents, provosts and deans nationwide. 

“Wallace is a bold voice for HBCUs and a powerful example of servant leadership in higher education,” said Hakim J. Lucas, president and CEO of Virginia Union. “Her story, her vision and her voice are exactly what we want our students to hear as we begin a new academic year grounded in faith, excellence and purpose.” 

Wallace is a three-time HBCU graduate, holding a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and a master’s in public administration from Grambling State University and a Ph.D. in urban higher education from Jackson State University.