Born and raised in Flint, MI where she attended Luke M. Powers Catholic High School and graduated from Flint Northwestern High School. Tonya is a graduate of the University of Evansville, Indiana where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communication, and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Tonya completed her last year as a doctoral student and graduated in December 2018 with her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University. The focus of her research was measuring sense of belonging among first-generation African American students at predominately white institutions and the role high impact practices play in their belongingness and retention.
She is also a KCP Future Faculty Fellow and has taught in higher education for over 10 years including within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Michigan-Flint wherein she has served on numerous faculty committees, administrative task force groups and higher education initiatives. Currently Tonya Bailey is the Neighborhood Director Student Success Collaborative – River Trail at Michigan State University
With over 20+ years of experience in higher education administering student success initiatives, providing instruction and inspiring audiences and organizations, Tonya’s lives by the motto, “You don’t become great, until you make someone else greater!” Her passion is to assist individuals from diverse backgrounds such they excel beyond their potential. In a recent television interview, Tonya stated, “I see myself as a “lid-lifter” wherein I help uncap the true value, skills and dreams within others,” Bailey said.
In addition to her career in postsecondary education, she is the co-founder of Pick a Place and Start (P.A.P.A.S.) 501 C3 Community Development Corporation dedicated to youth development, cultural awareness and community economic revitalization. She is also the creator of Women in Power “I Am the WIP” Summit, a women’s empowerment conference and support network.
An accomplished licensed realtor, a recording artist and the host of a weekly inspirational radio broadcast called “It’s Yours!” which aims to empower and educate listeners to have daily success. “Change your Mind, You Change Your Moment,” is one of her soon to be released books to help audiences gain a winning mindset in life.
Tonya finds time to volunteer and serve in her community and is on various boards including Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Flint wherein she serves as 1st Vice Chair.
Tonya is the Lead Advisor for a nonprofit organization that aims to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS and she serves on the Community Based Organization Partners – Community Ethics Review Board.
Tonya Bailey is happily married, and the proud mother of five children: daughters Lekeisha 28, Leah 21 and sons Le III 18, Levi Priest 15 and Leland Daniel 11 years old. In addition to her natural children, Mrs. Bailey and her loving husband Le adopted three children thus creating a beautiful family of eight children. A servant-leader, compassionate citizen and change agent, Tonya C. Bailey.
