Dr. Ayanna Walker currently serves as the Associate Dean for the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) at Southern Connecticut State University, where she focuses on enrollment, retention, and persistence of students within CHHS. In her role, Dr. Walker also oversees the CT Health, Athletic, and Mental Performance Center (CHAMP), which offers the public a wide range of services, including health assessments, psychological consulting, and precision testing for athletes designed to optimize performance.

Dr. Walker is a graduate of the University of Connecticut (Sport Science), California University of
Pennsylvania (Athletic Training), and Southern Illinois University (Health Education). She has more than 20 years of Higher Education experience as a faculty member and Administrator. As a faculty member she taught coursework in athletic training, exercise science, and health promotion at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels at both California University of Pennsylvania and Concordia University –Chicago.  Her research interests include community health, nutrition, and health disparities. 

 

Dr. Walker serves as a Board member on the American Heart Association, where she is on the Executive Leadership Team, and Chairs the STEM Goes Red campaign, which provides mentorship for high school girls interested in STEM careers. She enjoys international travel, learning languages, and leading a physically active lifestyle. She lives in Hamden with her husband, Nathan, and young daughter, Zarah.