Photo

First Name
Latoya

Last Name
Booker

Pronouns
she/her

Tags
Administration, Anti-Racism, Community-Building, DEI Foundations, Intersectionality, Organizational Culture & Climate

Title
Learning & Development Program Director

Web Address
https://www.gvsu.edu/institute/

Department
Inclusion & Equity

Biography
Latoya has continually demonstrated a deep commitment to the values of inclusion and belonging as she has spent her career working to dismantle barriers to equity and accessibility within her local community. As an administrator, educator, facilitator, and consultant, Booker has over 15 years of proven success leading DEI initiatives within various organizations across multiple sectors including business, education and non-profit. Throughout her career Latoya has worked to generate positive change through the deployment of HR solutions, program development, and process improvements. She is an accomplished higher education professional with a track record of successfully translating strategic vision into initiatives that add value, improve performance, and advance equitable outcomes for various campuses including Davenport University, Aquinas College, and Hope College. In 2020, Booker was named one of the Grand Rapids Business Journalýs 40 under 40 Business Leaders. She is an active community trustee and alumna of Leadership Grand Rapids ('17), a member of the Create Great Leaders Council through the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and serves as president of the board of directors for Camp Blodgett (West Olive). She studied secondary education (B.A.) and higher education administration (M.Ed.) at Grand Valley State University. More recently Booker earned a second bachelorýs degree in early childhood education from Aquinas College where she coordinated a pipeline program to increase the number of teachers of color in local preschool classrooms. Latoya is a Laker! This is what she had to say about returning to GVSU: "I am excited to return to my alma mater as the new Inclusion & Equity Learning and Development Program Director. Grand Valley has a strong commitment to advancing equity and access for learners from all backgrounds and providing an education that prepares students to be global change makers. I am a product of that commitment, and I am honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with others in shaping the Laker experience for the next generation of leaders."