Walker began her role as Senior Associate Commissioner for Strategic Marketing and External Operations on July 1st, 2022. Walker also holds the role as the CIAA's Senior Women Administrator.
Walker spent the past three years at Bluefield College, where she served as the school’s first full-time female athletic director in 2019 before being elevated to Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics in 2020.
Walker will provide oversight of the marketing and communications department as well as external relations and operate as the primary liaison to the conference's senior women administrators. No stranger to the CIAA, Walker previously worked in the conference office for seven years starting in 1993 before moving on to Winston-Salem State University, where she spent 18 years as an athletic administrator that includes four years as Director of Athletics. Walker was an integral figure in WSSU's transition from NCAA Division II to Division I (football championship subdivision) status and later reclassification back to Division II.
“We’re excited to welcome Tonia Walker back to the CIAA family,” stated CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. “Her vast knowledge of the collegiate athletics landscape, familiarity with the conference footprint, and years of senior leadership and oversight will be invaluable. She’ll continue the momentum we’ve established in amplifying our brand and the visibility of our membership as well as identifying opportunities for strategic collaboration with external partners.”
Walker was named the 2022 Nike NAIA Division II Administrator of the Year by Women Leaders In College Sports (formerly NACWAA) and she was named the 2016 NCAA Division II Administrator of the Year. In 2008, Walker was the NACWAA recipient of the Nell Jackson Award, which is bestowed to an athletic administrator who exemplifies the qualifies of Dr. Nell Jackson. Walker is also a 2004 graduate of the NACWAA/HERS Institute and 2005 NACWAA Executive Institute, serving to enhance opportunities for women to move into positions as athletics directors or conference commissioners. Walker is a 2017 graduate of Leadership Winston-Salem and is committed to community engagement and leadership.
Walker is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Walker attended Hampton University as a two-sport athlete, playing basketball and softball and departed the university as a member of the 1993 CIAA Softball Championship Team, All-Region, and All-America softball performer. She graduated with honors, receiving a bachelor’s degree in communicative sciences and disorders and went on to attend Old Dominion University to attain her Master's of Science in recreation and sports administration.
Tonia is married to Wayne Walker, Sr., of Petersburg, VA. They have two children, Daijah and Wayne, Jr., a granddaughter, Skylar and grandson Jrue.