Velma Buckner
Student Support and Program Engagement Manager
Office of Academic Access and Leadership Development
130 Jesse Hall
573-882-2714
bucknerv
Velma Buckner:
Velma Buckner is the Student Support and Program Engagement Manager with Academic Access and Leadership Development
Prior to joining Academic Access and Leadership Development Velma served as the Sr. Coordinator of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center (GOBCC) at Mizzou.
Velma is no stranger to higher education with over 14 years at the University of Missouri where she has cultivated numerous campus-wide, community and most importantly student relationships. Velma has experience in the development and management of programming geared towards student success along with a background in cultural competency training.
A native of Columbia, Missouri, Velma studied at Columbia College where she earned both a B.A. and M.S. in Criminal Justice. She later received a Master of Education in Educational Leadership Policy and Analysis at the University of Missouri.
In her current role she is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing services and programs that promote educational access, professional and personal development through a diverse and equitable lens, including the Women of Color, Honor and Ambition (WOCHA) and Men of Color, Honor and Ambition (MOCHA) programs.
Additionally, Velma oversees the Mizzou Black Men’s Initiative and serves as the adjunct program instructor of the Mizzou Black Women’s Initiative (MBWI), a program that focuses on equipping African American female students with the appropriate tools to promote student success along with skills to be successful leaders in their undergraduate careers.
Velma continuously demonstrates her dedication for higher education, student success, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion through her collaborative efforts with campus and community partners.