Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) is pleased to welcome Dr. Walter McCollum as the new Director of Student Programs and Support Services. Dr. McCollum brings nearly two decades of leadership experience in higher education, corporate strategy, military service, and global initiatives, with a deep commitment to advancing student success, equity, and engagement.
A Fulbright recipient and seasoned higher education executive, Dr. McCollum has served in senior leadership roles across community colleges, four-year institutions, and online universities. His career includes serving as Chancellor, Vice President, Dean of Student Affairs, and Professor, where he led large, diverse institutions through innovation, growth, and transformation. Most recently, he has been recognized nationally for his work in governance, student affairs, leadership development, and global education initiatives.
Before entering higher education, Dr. McCollum served in the United States Air Force, specializing in information management and communications. He later transitioned into corporate leadership, holding senior roles at organizations including Sodexo, Capgemini, Lockheed Martin, and Booz Allen Hamilton, managing large-scale organizational development, multimillion-dollar budgets, and national programs.
Throughout his career, Dr. McCollum has demonstrated a passion for student access and community engagement. As Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College–Richmond, he led a campus serving more than 3,500 students, expanded partnerships across five counties, strengthened military and veteran support services, and contributed to record-breaking fundraising success. At Miami Dade College Online, the nation’s largest community college, he oversaw online education programs serving more than 15,000 students and supported eight campuses with more than 100,000 learners. He also launched groundbreaking initiatives as Dean of Student Affairs at Walden University, including the first digital Fulbright Chapter and the nation’s largest induction in the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Dr. McCollum’s work extends internationally, including initiatives in Jordan, Ethiopia, South Africa, Costa Rica, and Haiti, where he founded a primary school to address literacy and gender inequality. He has taught at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels for more than 17 years, chaired over 100 doctoral dissertation committees, and authored eight books on leadership, organizational change, and education.
Reflecting on his new role, Dr. McCollum shared, “I am most excited about the opportunity to create a transformative, student-centered experience at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. Law school is an intense and life-changing journey, and I am energized by the chance to build programs that not only meet students’ immediate needs but also anticipate the challenges and opportunities they will encounter along the way.”
He added, “Above all, I want the AJMLS community to know that I am deeply committed to being a partner in your success. Supporting students is not just part of my role—it is the heart of my work, and I am honored to walk this path with you.”
AJMLS is proud to welcome Dr. McCollum and looks forward to the insight, leadership, and global perspective he brings to the law school community.