JANS – Jennifer K. Young Wallace, PhD, has been elected president of the national Association of Teacher Educators (ATE), becoming the fifth African American and first HBCU grad so honored in the organization’s 104-year history. Dr. Wallace makes history as she is the first president elected that is a graduate and employer of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
“I am deeply honored to be elected president of a national educators’ organization. I’m thankful to ATE membership for electing me to such an honorable position. I am excited about my team of educators who are from higher education institutions in America.”
Dr. Wallace is a tenured Associate Professor/Coordinator of the K12 Doctoral Program of Educational Leadership for the College of Education and Human Development at Jackson State University. She was elected chair of the university’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, 2021-2023, where she presided over curriculum changes and modifications for all degrees at the university; Faculty Senate Treasurer, 2023-2024; and Appeals Committee Chair, 2022-2023. Dr. Wallace, a graduate of Alcorn State University, is enthusiastic about representing Jackson State University in a national leadership role.
Dr. Wallace has chosen the following for her theme and educational strands for her year as president: “Empowering a Global Community of Educators to Leave a STAMP on Education: Social Emotional Learning, Transformational Leadership, Advocacy, Multiculturalism, and Professional-Practices.” Her theme was inspired by the present educational trends that encompass not only her research but the research of a multitude of teacher educators in the world. She has laid out the groundwork for her commissions, task forces, and initiatives, as the work has begun while she serves on ATE’s Board as 1st vice president, awaiting her time to receive the gavel as president in March 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana, from present president, Cheryl Torrez, University of New Mexico.
Dr. Wallace will preside over two national conferences – one in St. Louis, MO, Summer 2025 and one in Crystal City, VA, March 2026. Dr. Freddie Bowles, Arkansas State University and Dr. Marie Byrd, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will serve as chairs of the St. Louis conference. Dr. Valerie Wright, Saint Leo University and Dr. Terrell Brown, University of Central Missouri will serve as chairs of the Crystal City, VA conference. “I’m so impressed with the innovation and energy of my colleagues and excited about their leadership as conference chairs,” states Dr. Wallace.
Dr. Wallace received a bachelor’s degree from Alcorn State University in English/Journalism; master’s degree from Jackson State in Counseling; master’s degree in English Education from Mississippi College; and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Administration from Jackson State. She completed a two-year Bible training class from Word of Life Ministries.
She has served as keynote speaker for national organizations and conferences, collegiate and high school graduations; she has presented her research on leadership and educational trends at numerous national conferences. She has over 20 publications – articles and book chapters – in national journals, encyclopedias, and books. She has reviewed numerous educational books with her reviews published on the back cover and has written the foreword or afterword for several books published by renown educational publishing companies. She serves on a national educational research team that presents their work all over the nation.
She has served on numerous committees/task forces for the Mississippi Department of Education, focusing on teacher preparation. She holds numerous K-12 educator’s licensure, including Principal Administration, Counseling, English, and Psychometry. Dr. Wallace has a manifold of experience and collaborations in education on a local, state, regional and national level. She has received numerous local, state, and national awards for her dedication to education and her community.
She served on the national Board for the Association of Teacher Educators (2019-2022), where she worked on the sustainability of the organization. Other boards include the Margaret Walker Alexander National Center Board (secretary) and Precious Children Mobile Mission Board (vice president). She chaired a national committee, the Legislative Government Relations Committee for the Association of Teacher Educators. She served a 3-year-term on the Advocacy Committee for the national American Association for College Teachers of Education (AACTE), one of seven professors in the nation elected to the committee.
She is married to Michael A. Wallace, and is the daughter of Mr. Learnear and Mrs. Mattie L. Young of Cruger, Mississippi. She enjoys spending time with her family and her sister, Wendolyn Young. Overall, Dr. Wallace is thankful that God has given her a Spirit of giving, serving, and sharing. She has a passion for education and considers her engagement as an Educational Ministry.
Read more about ATE at www.ate1.org and https://www.ate1.org/board.html.
