Stephanie Washington

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Stephanie Washington is the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at William Woods University, a multiple year career ambition that came to fruition as of October 2022. In this role, Stephanie serves as a culturally aware, emotionally empathic, and inclusive presence for students, faculty and staff.

Pre-WWU, Stephanie served as the HIV Planner and Evaluator for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Bureau of HIV, STD and Hepatitis (BHSH). Stephanie served in this capacity from 2016 through 2022. From 2007 to 2016, Stephanie worked as a Youth Health Educator for the DHSS, BHSH…following in her retired mother’s HIV prevention footsteps. Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, and later went on to earn her Master of Public Health from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Stephanie’s vibrant, outgoing and contagious personality serves her well when working with diverse communities and colleagues. In addition to contributions within her State and University roles, Stephanie was nationally recognized by the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors’ (NASTAD), as she was chosen for their 2022 Minority Leadership Program (MLP). This twelve-person national cohort initiative focuses on increasing the capacity of emerging leaders of color in an effort to equip them with skills, mentors, and introspection to advance in their varied personal career trajectories. She is a true Public Health practitioner with a passion and love for students, public speaking, education and inclusion.