Shantoria Vance is the Career Planning Coordinator for Spelman College.
Shantoria Vance is a dedicated professional with over 15 years of experience in higher education, specializing in student outreach, career development, and community engagement. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Spelman College, and both a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Divinity from Mercer University, Shantoria’s career journey has been dedicated to advocating for multicultural populations and enhancing workforce readiness.
Her tenure at Spelman College, where she currently serves as a Career Development Coordinator, reflects her commitment to creating pathways to success for students and alumnae. Collaborating with faculty and staff, she designs co-curricular professional development experiences and manages strategic partnerships with external stakeholders to cultivate opportunities that bridge academia with the professional world.
Shantoria’s professional journey encompasses a myriad of experiences, including her tenure as an adjunct faculty member, Admissions Recruiter, and HBCU Coordinator at Lansing Community College. During this time, she played a pivotal role in facilitating student transfers to HBCUs and nurturing a supportive environment for first-generation students pursuing higher education. Her passion for empowering others extends beyond the confines of academia, as evidenced by her involvement with the Pittsburgh Collaborative. As a board member and volunteer, Shantoria actively contributes to initiatives aimed at fostering intergenerational growth and development within the local Atlanta Pittsburgh community, aligning with her commitment of building pathways to success for marginalized communities.
At the core of Shantoria’s professional values lies a steadfast commitment to equity, inclusion, and community empowerment. She channels her expertise and passion into initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism rates among justice-involved youth and adults, serving as a resource for individuals striving to overcome systemic barriers. As a treatment provider for the DeKalb County Courts, she embodies a holistic approach to societal challenges, advocating for transformative solutions that empower individuals to thrive personally and professionally. Shantoria’s multifaceted background and unwavering dedication position her as a dynamic advocate for building resilient pathways to success, both within academia and beyond.