Superintendent Herbert O’Neil, Jr. officially announced that Valonia Walker, APR has been named Chief Communications Officer for Hempstead ISD.
Walker, who will join the district in June, will lead district communication efforts and will be responsible for providing leadership, vision, direction, and execution of major district communication strategies, programs, and events.
Prior to joining Hempstead ISD, Walker was the Senior Communications Specialist in Aldine ISD where she oversaw strategic communications for social media, provided leadership for the district Key Communicator Network, and led new internal and external public relations and marketing initiatives. Before advancing to her latest role with Aldine ISD she previously served as the Aldine ISD Communications Specialist. Other experience includes serving in Humble ISD, as the district’s Public Communications Writer, where Walker was responsible for increasing community engagement by highlighting students, staff, schools, and the district. Through writing, photography, social media, and creating media opportunities, she successfully shared the stories of the district.
Walker has additional professional experience working with Theater District Houston as the Special Events and Social Media Manager, where she created strategic initiatives to bring awareness and visibility to the theater district. In this role, she worked with the City of Houston, METRO, Downtown Houston, Houston First, and served as the Houston Young Professionals for the Arts liaison. As an advocate for the arts during her time at Theater District Houston, she elevated the presence of the seven performing arts groups in Houston. Her strategic communication and planning efforts helped bring more than 15,000 people to the Theater District for one day of free arts and entertainment. In 22 years it was the largest turnout the organization had seen.
Walker holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, and new media from Baylor University and a master’s degree in strategic communication and innovation, and an advanced digital media certification from Texas Tech University. Walker is also an Accredited Public Relations (APR) practitioner. The APR is the public relations industry’s highest distinction. She is one of less than 40 school public relations professionals to receive this achievement.
The native Houstonian is active in professional organizations including the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) where she has served on several committees and has received 20 state awards. Walker received the TSPRA Best of State Star Award for a published news release in 2021 and in 2022 for her work on the Educators of the Year Breakfast event. She is also a member of the Houston Area School Public Relations Association (HASPRA) and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Houston.