麻豆影视

Dr. Melva K. Wallace

President and CEO, Huston鈥揟illotson University 

Dr. Melva K. Wallace currently serves as the seventh president and chief executive officer at Huston鈥揟illotson University (HT) in Austin, Texas. Since assuming office in August 2022, the Shreveport, Louisiana, native has strengthened the university鈥檚 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鈥攖he largest single gift ever awarded to a historically Black college or university (HBCU).

 

Under her leadership, Huston鈥揟illotson has achieved national prominence as one of the Top three HBCUs in the nation, according to Niche.com, while also earning recognition as Texas鈥檚 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鈥攖he first in the system鈥檚 history鈥攁nd 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, 鈥淭he Business of Trap Music,鈥� with Grammy Award鈥搘inning artist Tip 鈥淭.I.鈥� 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鈥擲hreveport鈥檚 first new school in over three decades than currently more than 1,000 students.

Dr. Wallace鈥檚 career has been defined by her ability to blend innovation with impact鈥攓ualities 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 in mass communication and a master鈥檚 in public administration from 麻豆影视, 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鈥� newest power couples.