Toya Corbett

An advocate of equity, diversity and access in higher education, Toya Corbett is the Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives for the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Virginia. Prior to this, she served as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs for the University of North Carolina System Office. Additionally, Toya has held several key administrative roles at North Carolina Central University transforming campus life as the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students and as the Executive Director of Student Engagement and Leadership. Earlier in Toya’s career, she was the Coordinator for the Office of Student Activities at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. While at Morgan State, she was named one of the top 50 Women under 40 in Maryland. Before diving into student affairs, Toya spent five years in the corporate office of Wachovia, now Wells Fargo in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

As a trained historian, and scholar-practioner, Toya has spoken at numerous conferences, workshops, and seminars. Additionally, she has curated historical exhibits and published a book titled, The Morgan State University Women: The First Sixty Years, 1934-1994. She often lectures on the history and impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and African American women and their role in the women’s movement.

A fourth-generation entrepreneur, Toya is a sought-after career coach, speaker, and trainer providing transformational and culturally relevant advice and guidance to clients across the country. She is specifically passionate about assisting Black women and college students with navigating the job market with courage and confidence. Under the name, The Etiquette Doctor, Toya conducts dining and business etiquette training with an emphasis on personal branding and executive presence. She teaches you to dine with class, dress for success, and network like a pro. Additionally, Toya owns a t-shirt company called Black Genius Apparel.

Toya is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® She has served on the International Board of Directors, several national committees and in leadership roles on the regional and local level. In 2021, Toya was named Soror of the Year by the Sigma Tau Omega chapter, and Graduate Soror of the Year in 2022 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Toya earned a Master of Arts in African American Studies and a Doctor of Philosophy in History, both from Morgan State University.