Having recently left Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as a National University Relations Specialist (working on the graduate fellowships program), Michael (Mike) Walker comes to Central Wyoming College (CWC) and the CWC Foundation as the new Director of Development for Jackson / Teton County.
Prior to INL, Walker served as the first Dean of Students/Student Affairs for College of Eastern Idaho (CEI). Walker lead the charge on a variety of new departments at CEI, including student mental health counseling services, disability resources, enrollment management, the Title IX office, and student conduct; he also led and revamped several programs in admissions, academic advising, financial aid, student life, testing services, and the Center for New Directions. Walker researched and co-authored several grants for CEI, including the successful “Childcare means Parents in Schools” (CCAMPIS) grant, in which the Department of Education awarded college $120,000 to assist students in childcare needs.
In 2000, the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce selected Walker for the Distinguished Under 40 award. Some of his favorite accomplishments include starting an E-Sports program and club, creating a Behavioral Intervention Team, student retention initiatives, creating and fundraising for the Veteran’s emergency fund, hosting live broadcast updates for students (on YouTube and Facebook) during the pandemic, and changing students’ lives through improved connections and services.
Walker is a visionary who believes that community colleges are the lifeblood of workforce development and help communities become strong, stable, and more economically viable. He is excited to help Teton County, Jackson, and the service region create additional opportunities for students. Walker also holds a BA in History (BYU-I, 2005), two master’s degrees, one in History (M.A, BYU, 2011) and one in Higher Education and Student Affairs (M.Ed., USU, 2017). Walker holds a post-graduate Education Specialist degree (Ed.S., USU, 2023) and will complete a doctorate in Higher Education in coming years. Walker has served on several boards including the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce (2018-2022), Greater Idaho Falls Transit (2020-2023), and the Museum of Idaho (2020-2023, including as Chairman of the Board in 2023).
Walker lives with his partner, Ben, in Wilson, and is a father to two amazing sons. He enjoys trail running, hiking, shooting, biking, snowboarding, and loves everything the Tetons, Yellowstone, and the region has to offer in outdoor recreation. Walker is originally from the south Puget Sound area though his family grew up in the shadows of the Tetons. He is an avid hockey fan.
