Dr. Michael V. Walker, CEO of Critical Questioning Consulting
Dr. Michael V. Walker brings a career focus on youth development and assisting black youth to achieve success. He earned his undergraduate degree in physical education from Southwest Minnesota State University and his master’s degree in counseling from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls as well as his Administrative and Superintendent License from St. Cloud State. Most recently in January 2022, he completed his PhD at the University of Minnesota in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
In 2022, Dr. Walker was appointed the new role of Associate Superintendent for Minneapolis Public Schools. He is the founder and CEO of Critical Questioning consulting where he provides a framework that includes; Becoming an Unapologetic Advocate for Black Students Institute, Accountability Coaching, and groups for Kings and Queens all designed for supporting Black Students in districts across the country.
From 1998 to 2006, Dr. Walker served as Community Outreach, Program and Youth Development Director at the YMCA of Minneapolis and Greater St. Paul, where he developed programs for social, academic, athletic and employment skills for youth and served as the coordinator of the Black Achievers program, an academic achievement and career development initiative for middle school and high school youth.
Dr. Walker worked as a career and college center coordinator for AchieveMpls at Roosevelt High School from 2006 to 2009 before serving Minneapolis Public Schools as Roosevelt’s dean of students from 2009 to 2011 and then moved into the role as assistant principal from 2011 to 2014.
In 2014 he was handpicked to be the inaugural Director for the Office of Black Male Student Achievement, where his sole responsibility is changing academic outcomes for Black Males who attend Minneapolis Public Schools. In 2019 he expanded the office to include Black girls as they had been experiencing the system in similar ways.
Being a 2017 Bush Fellow recipient, has allowed him to further his leadership and expertise in this area. Dr. Walker is an Unapologetic Advocate for Black Students and works towards reducing the belief gap in schools. Dr. Walker is a product of Minneapolis Public Schools.
Dr. Walker leaves us with this critical question to the educational system, “Why have we been trying to solve a non-academic issue with an academic solution?”