Angelica Witcher Walker, PhD

Position Responsibilities

As the Assistant Dean for Student Vitality & Career Development and Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Witcher Walker is responsible for operational aspects of the student affairs curriculum and programs and maintains a core role in directing activities related to student organizations and special interest groups, career advising, residency planning, ceremony planning, budget planning, mentoring communities, and providing support to the Office of Student Affairs. She serves as the Inclusive Curriculum Thread Leader while maintaining a core role in institutional partnerships, student retention, and providing support to the Office of Inclusive Excellence & Opportunity.

Professional Background

Dr. Angelica Witcher Walker is an assistant professor of health systems and implementation science at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. She received her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Virginia and began working at Carilion Clinic. In 2010, she began working at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, later earning a master's degree in business administration from Averett University and a doctor of philosophy in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech. Her dissertation addresses college access for historically underrepresented populations, pre-college programs, and first-generation students. She is a member of Society of Professors of Education, American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, American Educational Research Association, and University Council for Educational Administration. Her teaching contributions include topics such as microaggressions, cultural humility, and health systems science. She has published work and has presented at several professional conferences. Dr. Witcher Walker is also a USA Track & Field Level 1 certified track and field coach. 

Research Interests

• Access to education
• Collaborative peer group mentoring
• Equity and social determinants of health
• Social learning theory of career development and exploration

Awards and Honors

• Dean's Diversity Champion, April 2022
• Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement, Distinguished Scholar, June 2020
• Virginia Tech, Diversity Ambassador, July 2018
• Carilion Clinic, Pillar Award, May 2010

Education and Training

• Virginia Tech: PhD
• Averett University: MBA
• University of Virginia: BSN

Additional Positions

• Assistant Professor, Health Systems and Implementation Science, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
• Advisor, Student National Medical Association