Skyller Walkes

Dr. Skyller Walkes is a stalwart advocate for justice-centered leadership and transformative change. With an impressive array of academic credentials, including a Ph.D. in Adult, Professional, and Community Education from Texas State University, a Master of Science in Juvenile Justice from Prairie View A&M University, a Master of Art in Early Childhood Education and Administration from Kean University, and Bachelors of Art in Communications, Mass Media, and English from Rutgers University, Dr. Walkes brings unparalleled expertise to her work, as she has also developed pathway programs for equitable access with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving, Carnegie Classification designated Research 1 and Ivy League institutions.

In addition to her appointment as a faculty member at HBCU Stillman College, such successes were also documented in her inaugural role as Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Bias at the Columbia University Climate School. Dr. Walkes established relationships with HBCUs that resulted in the first-ever HBCU summer immersion experience between the Columbia Climate School and Southern University. Moreover, Dr. Walkes was a co-founding faculty member of the University of St. Gallen’s THRIVE Impact Summer School in Switzerland with Columbia Climate School as the first university partner. Through her inaugural leadership in her Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion role, the University of Texas’ College of Pharmacy was awarded the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education in 2020 and propelled by the programs that Dr. Walkes spearheaded from 2019-2022, the College of Pharmacy won again in 2023.

Dr. Walkes’ commitment to culturally responsive pedagogy enriches learning experiences, ensuring that all learners thrive. Collaborating with esteemed organizations, such as American Red Cross, United Way, the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, Women in Neuroscience (WiN), the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), the American Pharmacists Association Academy (APhA), the Black Student Athlete Summit, and the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) to name a few, Dr. Walkes champions equitable access across communities, organizations, and education.

Her global impact has extended to projects with the United States Embassy in Madrid and Diversity Abroad, where she contributed to cultural responsiveness programming, literacy initiatives, healthcare, environmental justice, and conflict resolution efforts. Locally, Dr. Walkes' impact is profound. Whether spearheading restorative justice programs at detention centers and universities, organizing community health clinics, serving on boards and supporting nonprofits, she embodies a tireless dedication to advocacy and community empowerment.

Equally impassioned about the arts and museum education, Dr. Walkes served as the Director of Educational Programs and subsequently, the President of the Calaboose African American History Museum. Moreover, Dr. Walkes helped develop an art and literacy curriculum for middle-schoolers with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and was selected to participate in the highly competitive Studio Museum in Harlem Museum Education Practicum. 

Through her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to equity, access, and social justice, Dr. Skyller Walkes aims to inspire hope and advance transformation through collaborative community engagement.

​

SUMA PS6120 Equity, Policy and Sustainability