Monique Holsey-Hyman

2025 NCCU Women Center “2025 Women Crushing Award” Women’s Empowerment Award
2025 Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Ruth E. Royter Community Service Award
2024 Youth Mentoring Collaborative Public Sector Award
2023 December, City of Durham, Service for At Large City Council Member Award: Youth Focus
2023 May, City of Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal Issued Proclamation to Dr. Monique Holsey- Hyman “Humility Month”.
2022 NC Central University the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Social Work Department Excellence in Teaching
2022 NC Central Social Work Innovative Instruction/ Mentoring Award
2021 NC Central University Excellence in Teaching
National League of Cities 2023 NATIONAL BLACK CAUCUS OF LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS (NBC-LEO)
Former Regional Director : Region 18 (NC) 2022-2023
Dr. Monique E. Holsey-Hyman
Tenured Associate Professor | Licensed Clinical Social Worker | Servant Leader | Fulbright Specialist
“Education is the key to success.”
This timeless proverb reflects the enduring impact of Dr. Monique E. Holsey-Hyman, a visionary leader, educator, and public servant whose life’s work embodies the transformative power of education. Born and raised in the South Bronx, New York City, Dr. Holsey-Hyman is a steadfast advocate for educational equity, student success, and community empowerment. She believes deeply in nurturing individuals through both knowledge and compassion, ensuring that education remains a vehicle for lifelong opportunity and social change.
Dr. Holsey-Hyman’s academic credentials are distinguished. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Services and Sociology from SUNY Binghamton, her Master of Social Work from Columbia University, and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Walden University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Psychotherapy Privilege (LCSW-R) in New York State and has been a Certified Social Worker since 1996.
With over 25 years of direct social work practice and more than 20 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Holsey-Hyman brings unmatched expertise and dedication to every role she assumes. Her career began with the NYC Child Welfare Administration, where she rose quickly to leadership roles under Mayor David Dinkins’ administration, including Special Assistant to the Deputy Director of the Bronx Field Office and Supervisor for the Family Preservation Program. Her commitment to family and mental health services led her to pioneer the first Mental Health Case Management Program at Steinway Child and Family Services, later serving as Bronx Director of Case Management and Center Director for Community Healthcare Network in Queens.
Her extensive consultancy work includes partnerships with Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center, Brooklyn Hospital, and the NYC Housing Authority. In 2005, she transitioned to academia, joining Berkeley College as an adjunct professor and later becoming a foundational leader at Shaw University, where she contributed to the university’s initial social work accreditation. There, she served in multiple leadership roles, including Chair of the Social Work Department, Director of the Center for Alternative Programs in Education, Special Assistant to the Vice President for Retention and Recruitment, and Special Assistant to the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies. She also served as Curriculum Coordinator, overseeing academic program development and strategic learning initiatives.
In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Holsey-Hyman has significant experience in student affairs, focusing on bridging academic and student affairs functions to enhance student engagement, retention, and success. Through strategic collaboration between faculty, administration, and student support services, she has been instrumental in developing comprehensive programs that address students’ academic and non-academic needs holistically. This integrative approach fosters a supportive campus environment where students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
She previously served as MSW Field Education Liaison, co-advisor/ advisor for the Graduate Student Association, advisor for Phi Alpha Honor Society, and an active member of the QEP Committee, Faculty Senate, and Social Work Admissions and Recruitment Committees. She also served as Director of Freshman Studies, where she developed plan for Living-Learning Communities, ensuring that dormitories and campus facilities were fully prepared for Open House and student orientation events. Additionally, she served as advisor to the Senior and Freshman Class and social work student organizations, promoting student leadership, civic engagement, and academic achievement. Her commitment to student affairs and retention strategies is deeply rooted in her leadership philosophy. As Chair of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People (DCABP) Youth and Education Committee, she developed internship pipelines for students while also serving in local government—bridging policy, advocacy, and experiential learning for future leaders.
In 2018, Dr. Holsey-Hyman joined North Carolina Central University (NCCU) as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work. In May 2025, she was promoted to Tenured Associate Professor by the UNC System Board of Governors, a milestone that reflects her student-centered focus on academic excellence, retention, and mentorship.
Her teaching portfolio extends across numerous institutions. She has taught MSW courses at Fordham University, served as Field Supervisor at Columbia University, Admissions Reader for Simmons College, and Graduate Leadership Faculty at Brescia University. She has served as Adjunct Lead Faculty and Core Faculty at Walden University, shaping graduate social work education for distance learners, and currently teaches as an Adjunct Professor at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in their online social work program.
In recognition of her growing global engagement, Dr. Holsey-Hyman was placed on the Fulbright Specialist Roster by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and World Learning. Her three-year tenure on the roster began in December 2024, positioning her for international impact in educational and social development.
A servant leader beyond the classroom, Dr. Holsey-Hyman has held numerous civic and advisory roles, including Vice President of the Durham Social Services Board, service on school improvement teams and mental health advisory committees, and as a former At-Large Member of the Durham City Council (2022–2023). She was honored in May 2023 when Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal proclaimed “Humility Month” in her name. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., NASPA, CSWE, and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Her commitment to student success culminated in the creation of the Transforming Social Work Through Mentorship (TSTM) program at NCCU in 2021. This innovative program enhances retention, academic performance, and peer/faculty mentorship in social work education and stands as a model of excellence.
Awards and Honors2025: NCCU Women’s Center “Women Crushing It” Award / Women’s Empowerment Award2025: Allen Chapel AME Church Ruth E. Royter Community Service Award2024: GRACE INC “You Make a Difference” Award – Community Pioneer: Youth Mentorship2024: Youth Mentoring Collaborative Public Sector Award2023: City of Durham Service Award (At-Large City Council Member – Youth Focus)2023: “Humility Month” Proclamation by Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal2022: NCCU College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities – Excellence in Teaching Award2022: NCCU Social Work Department Innovative Instruction/Mentoring Award2021: NCCU University-Level Excellence in Teaching AwardFormer Regional Director, National League of Cities – NBC-LEO Region 18 (NC), 2022–2023Simmons College – Kathleen H. Millstein Award for MentorshipSpectacular Magazine Woman of the Year in Education AwardTriangle Leadership Goodman Fellowship RecipientHigher Education Leadership Foundation NU Cohort AlumnaA devoted mentor, educator, curriculum leader, and public servant, Dr. Monique Holsey-Hyman exemplifies servant leadership. She dedicates her journey to the memory of her mother, the late Madge Leanna Holsey-Shaw, and honors the guidance of David Goldstein, Dr. Pasquale DePetris, and the late Dr. Pamela Denning.
Dr. Holsey-Hyman continues to empower future leaders with compassion, purpose, and a relentless belief in the transformative power of education.

Education

EdD, Walden University

MSW, Columbia University

BS, State University at Binghamton