Dr. Melva K. Wallace
President and CEO, Huston–Tillotson University
Dr. Melva K. Wallace currently serves as the seventh president and chief executive
officer at Huston–Tillotson University (HT) in Austin, Texas. Since assuming office
in August 2022, the Shreveport, Louisiana, native has strengthened the university’s
academic profile, expanded enrollment, advanced online learning opportunities, and
secured record levels of philanthropic support, as evidenced by the recent donation
of $150 million from the Moody Foundation—the largest single gift ever awarded to
a historically Black college or university (HBCU).
Under her leadership, Huston–Tillotson has achieved national prominence as one of
the Top three HBCUs in the nation, according to Niche.com, while also earning recognition
as Texas’s highest-ranked private HBCU and the number one HBCU for graduate earnings
immediately after graduation. The university has strengthened its financial position,
deepened community partnerships, and expanded opportunities that prepare students
to thrive in a global economy.
Prior to taking the helm at HT, Dr. Wallace served in several key leadership roles
within the Southern University of Louisiana System, including chief of staff—the first
in the system’s history—and interim vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment
management, where she oversaw five campuses that served more than 15,000 students.
She is also a former vice president for student affairs at Centenary College of Louisiana.
A 2016 Presidential Leadership Scholar, Dr. Wallace studied leadership under former
U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. She also co-created
and co-teaches a course titled, “The Business of Trap Music,” with Grammy Award–winning
artist Tip “T.I.” Harris, which earned them feature stories in Forbes and Billboard
magazines. A staunch advocate of education, she co-founded the Shreveport Charter
Foundation, which established the Magnolia School of Excellence—Shreveport’s first
new school in over three decades than currently more than 1,000 students.
Dr. Wallace’s career has been defined by her ability to blend innovation with impact—qualities
that have earned her national acclaim. A past recipient of the ATHENA Leadership Award,
she was recognized by the United Negro College Fund as one of the nation’s top women
university presidents, named one of the 2025 100 Most Influential Professionals in
Texas in by the Austin Business Journal, 2025 Most Innovative President of the Year
by the National College Resources Foundation, and most recently, 2025 Austin Executive
Leader of The Year by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.
She earned both a bachelor’s in mass communication and a master’s in public administration
from Grambling State University, a Master of Science in Education from Alcorn State
University, and a doctorate in urban higher education from Jackson State University.
Dr. Wallace is married to Dr. D.L. Wallace, a highly respected business mogul who
is founder and CEO of the Success Training Institute, a global technology-based company
specializing in workforce development and leadership training. The couple, which was
once featured on ESG News at the New York Stock Exchange in recognition of their shared
impact on business, education, and philanthropy, was recently named one of Texas’
newest power couples.
