Tonia Walker assumed the role of Interim Director of Athletics on February 9, 2009 after previously serving as the Rams' Associate Director of Athletics and as the Senior Woman Administrator, a role that she occupied for seven years. She has been a member of the WSSU Athletics staff since August of 2000 and will enter into her 10th year of service to Winston-Salem State University in 2009-10 making her the most senior administrator in the WSSU Department of Athletics.

Originally serving as both the Assistant Director of Athletics and head volleyball coach, Walker resigned her duties as WSSU's head volleyball coach in 2002 to focus on her administrative role en route to moving to the position of Associate Director of Athletics. She is responsible for the internal operations of the athletic department and has been instrumental in fundraising efforts, the implementation of CHAMPS/Lifeskills programming, the Rams Leadership Academy, SAAC initiatives, and new opportunities and exposure and development for athletic staff and student-athletes.

An integral figure in the university's transition from NCAA Division II to Division I (Football Championship Subdivision) status she brings a wealth of knowledge of intercollegiate athletics to the University. Walker came to WSSU from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) head office where she began her career in 1993.

Named the 2003-04 and 2005-06 CIAA Senior Woman Administrator of the Year, Tonia was one of eight participants around the country selected for the NCAA Fellows Leadership Development Program. The extensive 18-month program from which Walker graduated in May of 2006 serves to enhance the employment and leadership opportunities for minorities and women at the senior management level of intercollegiate athletics administration.

She is currently a member of the Region 3 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Committee, the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association as well as the Black College Coaches and Administrators Association. She is a 2004 graduate of the NACWAA/HERS Institute and 2005 NACWAA Executive Institute -both serving to enhance opportunities for women to move into positions as Athletics Directors or Conference Commissioners. Most recently she was named the 2008 NACWAA recipient of the Nell Jackson Award bestowed annually to an athletic administrator who exemplifies the qualities of Dr. Nell Jackson. The award is given to an individual who demonstrates qualities such as courage, conviction and perseverance and to an athletic administrator who is an advocate for gender equity and diversity.

She has served on numerous committees both nationally and for the university and is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after athletics administrators in the nation.

Tonia attended Hampton University as a two-sport athlete, playing basketball and softball. In December of 1993, she graduated with honors, receiving a B.A. degree in speech and language disorders and went on to attain a M.S. in sports management from Old Dominion University in 1998. She looks to pursue her Ph.D. in the very near future as well as continue to help lead the WSSU Department of Athletics to greater heights.

Tonia is married to Wayne Walker, Sr. of Petersburg, Va., a former Hampton University football player. They have two children, Daijah (13) and Wayne, Jr. (12).