Biography

Kathelon S. Toliver is a strategic leader in social work education, dedicated to fostering community engagement, enrollment growth, and institutional partnerships. As Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Planning at Howard University’s School of Social Work, she develops and implements initiatives that strengthen research leadership, student learning, intercollegiate collaborations, and financial sustainability.

Kathelon oversees Professional Development and Continuing Education, organizing monthly licensure trainings on trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and AI advancements—generating over $15,000 in revenue through partnerships. She also coordinates mental health webinars with SAMHSA and BlackDoctors.org, addressing the needs of African American communities.

Serving as Board Liaison for the Board of Visitors, Kathelon enhances board engagement through the SWift Insights program and the Board of Visitors Membership Guide. She also leads the Fred Taylor “Roll Away the Stone” Leadership Certificate Program, fostering leadership development among social work professionals.

Previously, Kathelon was Assistant Provost for Academic Administration at Trinity Washington University, where she managed academic operations, enrollment strategies, and program expansion. Under her leadership, the university saw a 20-30% annual increase in retention, launched an online bookstore, and managed over $800K in grant funding for STEM, liberal arts, and dual-degree programs. She also played a key role in curriculum development and organized large-scale academic events on global perspectives, environmental justice, and inclusive excellence.

Kathelon holds a Master’s in Organizational Communication from Howard University and a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing and Communication Studies from Florida State University. She remains deeply committed to advancing social work education through strategic planning, leadership development, and community engagement.