Tommy Walls is the director of alumni relations and career opportunities at the Council for Opportunity in Education. He is a passionate advocate for alumni engagement and youth-serving organizations. Tommy leads efforts to involve alumni in meaningful service to TRIO students, including advocacy, corporate internships, and volunteerism. His role also involves developing impactful strategies for alumni success and overseeing the National TRIO Achievement nomination process and the National TRIO Alumni Association’s (NTTA) deliverables.
Tommy has a strong background with over 12 years of experience in organizational leadership and youth engagement. During his education at Marquette University, he benefited from after-school and first-generation programs like Boys & Girls Clubs of America and TRIO programs. His professional journey includes roles such as the Executive Director of Communities in Schools of High Point, NC, and Assistant Vice President of Operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. He also interned with COE in 2011 in the Public Policy & Communications department.
Tommy holds a B.A. in Social Welfare and Justice from Marquette University and an M.S.W. in Advocacy, Leadership & Social Change from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, participating in his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and spending quality time with his daughter, Amore.