Dr. Walter C. Jones was born in Los Angeles, California and matriculated through the Los Angeles Unified School District.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Northridge in English (Reading Instruction).  He attended California State University Dominguez Hills where he received his Master of Arts degree in Education (Teaching/Curriculum).  At the University of California Los Angeles he attained his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Jones presently serves as the Associate Dean of Student Services at Los Angeles Valley College and chairs the College Diversity Committee.  He is an Executive Board Member for the CCCEOPSA and A²MEND. He has worked in the field of higher education for over 16 years.  Describing himself as a “journeyman” educator, he has been a faculty member, a counselor, a program developer, a coach, a facilitator and an administrator.  He has presented research at the Council for Opportunity in Education’s Annual Conference, the Conference on the Retention of Latino Students in Higher Education and the Los Angeles County of Education.  He has written several successful grants, participated in and chaired WASC accreditation committees, holds seats on a variety of advisory boards and participates on a number of committees designed to improve student success.  He is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and University’s Millennium Leadership Institute Class of 2006.

As an administrator at California State University Dominguez Hills, Dr. Jones combined the Educational Opportunity Program, Student Support Services and the Upward Bound Programs together and became the Director of EOP/TRIO Programs.  In fact, under his direction, EOP was identified as a “Center of Excellence” by the CSUDH Office of the President.  In addition, Dr. Jones has worked with the Building Engagement and Attainment in Minority Students project (BEAMS), sponsored in part by the American Association of Higher Education, and the First Year Experience team composed of individuals from both Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.  He has taught the University 101 course for the past three years (Personal, Social and Intellectual Development) and created a successful tutorial/mentorship model for freshmen based on the research in student engagement and supplemental instruction.  Also, Dr. Jones facilitates the Black Men’s Group Leadership Institute (BMG), an effort that grew out of a support group for black men on the campus.  BMG creates mentoring opportunities for students, staff, faculty and administrators in support of educational and career goals.

Dr. Jones has been married to his wife, Trish, for 12 years and they have a son (Brandon) and two daughters (Jade and Jennifer).