LaWanda Toney has been promoted to a top position in the education department

LaWanda Toney has been named deputy chief of staff for strategic communications and partnerships in the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Toney was recently promoted to this position after serving in the role senior advisor for 2 years he worked in the Office of Communication and Support of the Education Department.

Tony said BLACK ENTERPRISES she is most enthusiastic about “the opportunity to plan and coordinate with the Secretary and Chief of Staff on agency priorities” while “continuing our priorities of college affordability, mental health, and academic achievement.”

Toney said that in her latest position, she will likely be chargeable for advising on the coordination and implementation of initiatives with the Chief of Staff and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. He can even represent Secretary Cardona at conferences, seminars and high-level meetings.

Prior to joining the Biden-Harris administration, Toney served as director of strategic communications for the National Parent Teacher Association (National PTA). Prior to working at National PTA, Toney managed marketing programs, planned special events and created communications campaigns for major retailers, nonprofits, publishing houses and promoting firms.

Nathan Monell, executive director of the National PTA, praised Toney for leading the National PTA’s “award-winning strategic communications team” for greater than a decade.

She has raised the voices of fogeys on issues affecting schools and the well-being, safety and academic success of scholars and families. She has made timely resources available on the ground, helping to advance our mission of making equitable and secure educational experiences for all of our nation’s children in order that they can reach their full potential,” Monell said. “Ms. Toney will be a strong addition and a tremendous asset to the goals of Secretary Cardona and his team.”

A native of Orangeburg, South Carolina, Toney holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Howard University and a master’s degree in strategic communications with a concentration in public relations from Trinity University. She can be a member of ColorComm, a company for ladies of color in all areas of communications.

Toney notes that her education at a historically black university helped prepare her for this top federal leadership role.

“Howard taught me perseverance, perseverance and high performance,” Toney said. “I have used these tenants throughout my career.”