Patrice Walker
Dr. Patrice J. Walker is a seasoned information technology (IT) executive and higher education leader with over 20 years of experience driving transformative initiatives within academic institutions. She currently serves as the associate chief information officer and director of IT Governance, Engagement, and Support Services at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where she leads strategic efforts in data governance, database administration, IT training, project management, event support services, academic technology support services, and administrative support services.
Dr. Walker's academic credentials are extensive and include a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Computer Information Systems from Shaw University, a Master of Business Administration from Fayetteville State University, a Master of Information Science from North Carolina Central University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from High Point University. Her doctoral research focused on the trajectory of African American women into senior leadership positions in higher education.
Beyond her professional and academic pursuits, Dr. Walker is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Shaw University National Alumni Association, reflecting her dedication to community engagement and service. Her passion for digital empowerment for higher education and her drive to push others to excel further exemplify her commitment to fostering excellence in education and technology.
Presentations
- Women in IT Panel Discussion, UNC Cause 2023.
- “Our Stories” Panel Presentation. Presented in the Virtual Education Series for VirtualJustice.Us. (2024)
- “Bridging the Digital Divide: Enhancing Literacy through DELP,” Presented at ASIS&T in Calgary, Canada. (2024)
- 2026 ULEAD Cohort Graduation Speaker, April 2026
- Presenter, “Building Resilient Leadership Pathways, The Power of Mentorship & Sponsorship for Women in Higher Education,” WE LEAD Women in Educational Leadership Conference, October 2025
Jobs/Responsibilities
- Associate CIO/Director of Governance, Engagement and Support Services, ITS
- Adjunct Faculty, School of Library and Information Sciences
- Adjunct Professor, School of Business
Campus Committee Involvement
- Campus Enterprises Strategic Planning Committee, 2023–2024
- University College Strategic Planning Committee, 2024
- Data Governance Steering Committee, Chair, 2024–
- Chancellor’s Installation Planning Committee, 2025
- NCCU Strategic Planning Committee, 2025
- Staff Senate, Vice Chair, 2026–2028
Courses
Projects
Publications
Grady, S., Lawson, C., & Walker, P (2024). Bridging the digital divide: Enhancing literacy and inclusivity through DELP. Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology, Volume 61, Issue 1, (pp. 920-922). https://doi.org/10.1002/pra2.1140
Walker, P. J. (2025). The Trajectory of the African American woman to senior leadership positions in higher education, High Point University
Lawson, C., Grady, S., & Walker, P. (2025). Best Practices for a Digital Empowerment Program Serving Marginalized Communities. Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 62. https://doi.org/10.1002/pra2.1456
Lawson, C., Grady, S., & Walker, P. (2025). Expanding AI Literacy at an HBCU: The Launch and Impact of the NCCU Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER). Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology 62. https://doi.org/10.1002/pra2.1457
Ogbo-Gebhardt, E., Cutcher-Gershenfeld, J., Walker, P., & Lawson, C. (2023). If We Build it, Will They Come? Strategies to Advance High Impact, Digital Inclusion Ecosystems. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4533172
Grants
Funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Role: Program Director Connecting Minority Communities, 2022–2024.
Funding from the Duke Endowment and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology. Digital Equity and Inclusion Asset Inventory, 2023.
Funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, 2025.