Alex Herring, Field Placement Coordinator and Instructor of Elementary Education
Alex Hearring earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from North Carolina Central University.  Mr. Herring has over 20 years of experience in the education field ranging from classroom teaching, At-Risk Student Coordinator, and school administrator as an Assistant Principal and Middle/High School Principal.  He also serves on the Shaw University Male Initiative Council and is the campus advisor to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.  He believes that all students deserve the best teachers every day on their journey to success and continues to place emphasis on preparing our future teachers to meet the needs of the 21st Century Learner.

Dr. Melvin E. Wallace, Birth-Kindergarten Instructor; Multicultural Education and Diversity Instructor; Academic Adviser and Mentor
Dr. Melvin Wallace holds several certifications in the state of North Carolina - they are as follows: Birth through Kindergarten; Mentally Handicapped; Special Education: Adapted Curriculum; Special Education: General Curriculum; Special Education: English; Special Education: Math; Special Education: Science; Special Education: Social Studies. Dr. Wallace received his Doctorate of Education through Nova Southeastern University with emphasis in Special Education and Conflict Analysis. Dr. Wallace received a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instructions with emphasis in the area of Early Childhood Education from Shaw University. His undergraduate studies were done at Shaw University and Mississippi Valley State University (in the area of Education and Speech Communication). Dr. Wallace's current research focuses on the study of 'challenging behaviors in the young learner'.

Dr. Paula Moten-Tolson, Coordinator of the Graduate Education
Dr. Paula Moten-Tolson is one of the founders of the Shaw University Center for Early Education, Development and Research.   The award winning 5 star model Center opened its doors in 2008 and serves 64 children from infancy to preschool age. A former Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she has 30 years of experience in the field of early childhood development as a mental health provider, teacher, coordinator of services, executive director, consultant and policy associate in the public, private and non-profit sector. She was formerly the director of the San Francisco Unified School District’s Early Child Development Program overseeing 41 child development centers. She was also a three year Chair of a California county commission which allocated approximately 13 million annually for the health, education and well- being of children birth through kindergarten. Dr. Moten-Tolson received a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City; she received a Master’s Degree in Social Services from St. Louis University in Missouri and received a doctorate in Early Childhood Education from Nova University in Florida. Dr. Moten-Tolson is an assistant professor and teaches graduate education B-K courses at Shaw University. She has been the P.I. in several successfully implemented state and federal grants in the nonprofit sector including an Early Learning Opportunity Act (ELOA) grant. Previously Dr. Moten-Tolson was the Chair of the Department of Education for eight years and Division Head of Education, Social Work and Child Development for the past two years.  .She believes that every child can succeed in school and every child deserves the best resources available to enhance their learning experiences. 

Dr. Lucy Wilson, Interim Academic Division Head, Coordinator for Elementary Education
Dr. Lucy Wilson holds a B.A. degree in Sociology/Social Welfare from Saint Augustine's College, Raleigh, NC, a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, and a Doctoral Degree in Curriculum & Instructional Leadership with a concentration in K-12 from Argosy University, Phoenix, AZ. She also received her Child Development Associate training from Shaw University, Raleigh, N.C. She is the director of the Child Development Associate Program (CDA), as well as advisor and portfolio developer. She has also served as Interim Director of Faculty Development for Shaw University. Dr. Wilson teaches courses in the Division of Education, Social Work and Child Development that enrich the chosen profession of teaching candidates. She holds a license from the state of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Elementary Education (Grades K-6). Dr. Wilson is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the National Black Child Institute, and the National Head Start Association. She volunteers with the Choanoke Area Development, Inc., Head Start of Wake County, Martin Community County Action, and she serves as a Board member for CONCERTS, Inc. Her area of research focuses on emergent literacy skills in young children. Dr. Wilson believes that knowledge and preparation are powerful keys to create nurturing environments that can lead to effective teaching and a positive concrete learning experience.