Dr. Tanya Warren: A Legacy of Service, Strength, and Purpose
A Moment Worth Celebrating
Tanya Warren has devoted more than two decades to Cheyney University, rising from grant management roles to serving as Executive Associate to the President. In January 2026, she earned her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University. Her journey exemplifies dedication to continuous learning and a commitment to making a lasting impact on her university and the broader community.
A Career Built on Service
Before joining the Office of the President, Dr. Warren spent 14 years in Cheyney’s Title III/Economic Workforce Development programs, assisting with the management of federal Title III grants. Title III funding supports historically Black colleges and universities by strengthening physical infrastructure, academic resources, fiscal management, and endowments, thereby helping institutions such as Cheyney fulfill their mission of educational opportunity. Activities funded through Title III can include student services, faculty and staff development, community outreach, and facility improvements. Working within this program gave her a broad understanding of institutional operations and the importance of federal support in sustaining access for underrepresented students.
After 14 years of managing grants, she moved to the President’s Office as Executive Associate and has remained in that role since 2017. In this position, she oversees administrative functions and coordinates initiatives that touch nearly every area of the university. Her longevity in the post speaks to her institutional knowledge, her trusted partnership with university leadership, and her ability to navigate external constraints.
A Call to Leadership Through Education
Dr. Warren’s decision to pursue an EdD was sparked at her own master’s graduation. When she noticed that no Black women were being recognized among the doctoral graduates, she resolved to fill that gap. Wilmington University’s EdD program in Organizational Leadership, Learning, and Innovation provides candidates with the skills to lead learning initiatives at every level of an organization and to sustain operational excellence through continuous improvement. The program offers concentrations that allow students to align their doctorate with professional goals and emphasizes collaborative learning with experienced faculty and diverse cohorts. Candidates also complete 120 hours of internship and an applied research dissertation to ensure their studies translate into real-world impact. Dr. Warren embraced this challenge while balancing her professional duties and family life.
Her dissertation, titled “Exploring the Effectiveness of Diverse Inclusivity Development of Hispanic Students at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania,” examined how well the university fosters a sense of belonging among Hispanic students. Through this research, she identified strategies to strengthen inclusive practices and cultivate camaraderie. She intends to implement these findings in her role by developing programs and practices that make the Hispanic population feel welcomed and valued on campus.
“Leadership is not defined by position. It is defined by the willingness to step forward, take responsibility, and create opportunity where none existed before.”
Impacting Students and the Community
Asked what she enjoys most about working at Cheyney, Dr. Warren points to the opportunity to influence students’ lives in positive ways. Beyond her professional responsibilities, she invests in the wider community through entrepreneurship and ministry. Her small business, Blessed to Be a Blessing, provides food and clothing to women’s shelters. She also leads two women’s empowerment ministries: You Matter for those aged 18–35 and Dunamis Kingdom Women for women aged 36 and older. Through these ministries, she encourages women to recognize their worth and pursue their purpose.
Words of Wisdom
Dr. Warren’s path has not been without hardship. She continued her studies and work while caring for a child diagnosed with cancer at the age of six and coping with the loss of both grandfathers and her father in 2015. These experiences inform the advice she offers to colleagues and students: stay focused, remain integral, and do not give up. She believes that perseverance and faith provided the strength to endure adversity and that one’s character should speak louder than words. Her own persistence in completing a doctorate while maintaining full-time responsibilities and family commitments embodies that message.
With more than two decades of service at Cheyney University and a newly completed EdD in Organizational Leadership, Dr. Tanya Warren stands as a model of dedication and resilience. Her career began in the complex world of Title III grant management, where she supported initiatives that strengthen historically Black colleges and universities. Driven by the desire to see more women of color in leadership, she pursued and earned a doctoral degree designed to prepare leaders to inspire change and innovation. Her research on inclusivity for Hispanic students will guide her efforts to make Cheyney more welcoming to all.
Beyond campus, her entrepreneurial and ministry work empowers women and extends her influence into the community. Dr. Warren’s story illustrates how education, service, and unwavering commitment can transform both an institution and the lives it touches.
