Today, the HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) Founder, President, and CEO Demetrius Johnson, Jr., has announced the next selection of the honorees of the ninth class of The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2026. Joining the previously named honorees is Cheyney University of Pennsylvania President Aaron A. Walton. President Walton’s selection to the prestigious honor underscores his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to Cheyney University and its students.

“We are delighted to celebrate the unwavering leadership of President Aaron A. Walton, who has guided the oldest historically Black college and university (HBCU) to new heights. Despite facing numerous challenges when he assumed the role of Interim President, President Walton has proven himself to be a formidable leader. His transformative leadership has elevated Cheyney to a brighter future, ensuring a promising path for tomorrow’s leaders. We express our deepest gratitude to President Walton for his continued leadership and extend our heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved honor. Please join me in congratulating and commending President Walton’s exceptional leadership.”

– Demetrius Johnson, Jr., founder, President & CEO, HCF

The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders Award & Class is a national recognition created by the HBCU Campaign Fund that identifies ten chancellors and presidents, and as of 2024, sports-affiliated individuals serving in the role at an HBCU, MSI, or affiliated with who exemplify a prominent and influential role in leadership and model the characteristics of following responsibilities in the progression of an institution or entity forward.

Walton, who has served as the President of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania for eight years, was appointed as the Interim President in May 2017. Because of the unprecedented process he spearheaded during his first five months, President Walton was elected as permanent President by the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) on November 13, 2017.

President Walton is known as a fearless champion for Cheyney University and it students. He brought expertise in strategic planning and organizational turnarounds, and has addressed the University’s challenges head-on while leading the effort to define a new trajectory for the University. As a former Senior Vice President of Highmark. Inc., one of the nation’s largest healthcare providers, President Walton was one of nine principal officers responsible for providing overall management and direction of all corporate activities nationally.

While a senior executive at Highmark, and in his subsequent retirement, President Walton served as Vice Chair of the PASSHE Board of Governors, where he was also Chair of Academic and Student Affairs, and Chair of Human Resources. He was also a longtime member of California University of Pennsylvania’s Council of Trustees, and chair from 1999 to 2003. Prior to being tapped to lead Cheyney University, President Walton served as co-chair of the Cheyney Task Force appointed by the Board of Governors.

President Walton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from California University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Management (MPM) from the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University.

The honorees of The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2026 and Ninth Class will be fully announced in early 2026.

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About the HBCU Campaign Fund
The HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) was founded in 2012 and is one of the nation’s minority educational organizations. HCF remains a strong advocate for students and higher education. The mission of HCF is to support the significance and raise funds for scholarships, programs, and for private and public HBCUs and MSIs. For more information, visit www.hbcucampaignfund.org.