Walden University: A Legacy of Social Change Through Its Notable Alumni
Walden University, a private, for-profit online institution headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has a rich history of fostering social change through its graduates. Since its establishment in 1970, Walden has been dedicated to providing accessible education to working adults, enabling them to pursue advanced degrees and make a positive impact on their communities. This article highlights the achievements of several notable Walden University alumni, showcasing their diverse contributions to various fields and their commitment to effecting positive social change.
From Humble Beginnings to a Leader in Online Education
Founded by New York teachers Bernie and Rita Turner, Walden University initially focused on providing doctoral programs for working educators. The university's early emphasis on dissertation topics relevant to students' professional lives laid the foundation for its practical, career-oriented approach to education. Over the years, Walden expanded its offerings to include bachelor's, master's, and specialist degrees, becoming a leading provider of online education for adult learners.
Shaping Futures: The Impact of Walden Alumni
Walden University has helped more than 200,000 alumni find the way forward. Walden graduates are leveraging their education and personal experiences to make a difference in their communities. Whether they’re working to close achievement gaps for students of color, opening new horizons of opportunity for children raised in foster care, ensuring students have access to feminine hygiene essentials, or serving courageously on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, these Walden alumni are truly using their education for good.
Leadership in Healthcare
Walden University alumni have made significant contributions to the healthcare industry, holding leadership positions and driving innovation.
- Deborah Addo ’11: As president and chief operating officer for the Penn State Health system, Deborah Addo oversees financial management, organization reengineering, and physician engagement. She has been named multiple times by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the “50 Great African American Leaders in Healthcare to Know.” She earned her master's degree in public health from Walden University.
- Susan Ibanez ’16 ’21: Susan Ibanez serves as CIO for Southeast Georgia Health System. She also received a doctoral degree in healthcare administration from Walden University.
- Bridget Denzik ’14: Bridget Denzik is the chief nursing officer (CNO) at Regional Medical Center, overseeing nursing care across a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services. Denzik received her doctorate in nursing practice from Walden University.
Excellence in Academia
Walden University alumni are also making their mark in academia, serving as deans, professors, and program directors.
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- Mary Simmons ’11: Mary Simmons is the dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences at Florida A&M University. She earned a doctorate in public health/community health from Walden University.
- Dr. April Jones: In recognition of her commitment to positive social change and transformative leadership, April Jones, PhD in Psychology ‘14, MS in Instructional Design and Technology ‘18, is the 2025 Walden Outstanding Alumni Award recipient. This two-time Walden graduate has demonstrated a career focused on leveraging her skills, expertise, and talents to create effective programs, solve challenges, and uplift others. Dr. Jones is the department head of social work and an assistant professor at Tuskegee University College of Arts and Sciences in Tuskegee, Alabama. She is also the founding chair of the university’s online Master of Social Work program.
Driving Change in Public Policy and Administration
Walden University alumni are actively involved in shaping public policy and administration, working to address critical social issues.
- Brian Montgomery ’20: Brian Montgomery has been promoted to chief scientist at StellarPeak Corp. He earned his PhD in public policy and terrorism from Walden University.
- Jeffrey Wooden ’14: Jeffrey Wooden joins Nashville International Airport as the Director of Emergency Management. Before joining MNAA, Dr. Jeffrey Wooden previously served as a Senior Manager of Aviation Security with Amazon at their Air Gateway Hub in Wilmington, Ohio. Prior to Amazon, he was employed with the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Leadership and Innovation in Various Fields
Walden University alumni are leaders and innovators in various fields, demonstrating their commitment to excellence and social impact.
- Shantay Bolton ’10: Shantay Bolton has been named executive vice president for administration and finance and chief business officer at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She holds a Ph.D. in organizational psychology with a concentration in industrial psychology from Walden University.
- Michelle Houchin ’16: Michelle S. Houchin, MSL, RACR, FACMPE, President, Adkisson Search, has become a Fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE). She received her master’s degree in leadership from Walden University.
- LaRonda Howard ’12: LaRonda Howard is a Master of Public Health graduate and CEO and founder of H.E.R. Story Productions LLC, an affiliate of HOPE Empowerment Resources (H.E.R.) LLC. From the judges: “LaRonda has committed herself to making a positive difference in the lives of others. In the process of taking back herself, she was able to encourage others to do the same. She is showing others how to turn stumbling blocks into steppingstones.”
Exemplifying Social Change: Outstanding Alumni Award Winners
The Walden Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes graduates who exemplify the university's mission to effect positive social change. These individuals have made a significant impact on their professions, disciplines, or communities.
- Dr. Elesia Glover: Advocate. The term “period poverty” may be unfamiliar to many. But for Dr. Elesia Glover ’18, PhD in Public Policy and Administration, the issue ignited outrage-and a mission to help girls access the feminine hygiene products they need to stay in school.
- Dr. Kay Ramsey: Catalyst for Good. Born into the foster care system and adopted at age 3 by a single mother who later passed away, Dr. Kay Ramsey ’17, PhD in Public Policy Administration, understands the potentially devastating effects of an unstable youth.
- Dr. Reagan Romali: Change Agent. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Walden,” says Dr. Reagan Romali ’11, PhD in Education. “In every class, there was an agenda of equitizing outcomes and understanding social justice. It was expected that we as students would become leaders who would then go out into the world and implement social change.”
- Dr. Jamar Shaw: Innovator. “The most powerful gateway drug isn’t marijuana-it’s tragedy,” says Dr. Jamar Shaw ’18, Master of Public Health (MPH). “We find that depression and addiction walk hand in hand.”
- Dr. Denise Prudencio: Visionaries. After earning his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2019, Dr. Denise Angelo Prudencio flew west to join Sacramento’s medical system as a nurse educator. Little did he know he’d soon be guiding staff through one of the biggest health crises this country has ever faced.
Walden University: A Commitment to Student Success and Social Impact
Walden University's commitment to student success extends beyond graduation. The university provides resources and support to help students achieve their career goals and make a positive impact on their communities. A survey by Gallup shows that the graduate programs at Walden University can be an excellent choice if you’re looking to improve your career and life. Gallup’s study of Walden University surveyed more than 8,000 of Walden’s master’s and doctoral degree graduates who graduated between 1990 and 2015. As part of the study, Gallup also surveyed a nationally representative sample of graduate degree holders from both traditional and online universities. Here is what we learned about Walden:
- Walden University graduate degree alumni are more diverse than other graduate degree holders. Fitting in with Walden’s mission of social change, those who’ve completed a graduate program at Walden are more diverse as a group than are those who earned their graduate degree from other institutions. Specifically, they are more likely to have been first-generation college students, female, and from a racial or ethnic minority group.
- Walden graduate degree alumni say their education helped their career. Seventy percent of Walden graduate degree alumni say their graduate program provided them with the necessary skills and training to advance in their careers. Of those who’ve been promoted in their jobs, Walden graduates are more likely to cite their degree as an important factor in their promotion than are those who graduated from other programs. Likewise, of those who’ve received a salary increase, more Walden graduates than other program graduates cite their education as an important part of receiving the higher salary. The same pattern holds for those who’ve successfully changed their careers. Once again, Walden graduates are more likely to say their graduate degree and education was important to their success than are those who graduated from other institutions.
- Walden graduate degree holders have a significant sense of purpose. While Walden is committed to helping its graduate degree students advance in their careers, the university also believes in helping its students find more purpose in life. Gallup reports that Walden is meeting this goal. More Walden graduate degree alumni than alumni of other universities are, by Gallup’s well-established measurements, thriving in purpose well-being.
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