Dr. Tonya Chestnut is an experienced leader with over 30 years of instructional and administrative practice. Her commitment to educating the young and the mature is represented in her present and past service as a pastor, educational consultant, dean of teacher education, principal coach, federal programs director, curriculum director, principal, and teacher.

She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Jacksonville State University, a Master of Education Degree from Alabama State University in Early Childhood Education, and an Education Specialist Degree from Auburn University in Montgomery in Instructional Leadership. Chestnut also received a Doctor of Education Degree in Transformational Leadership from Concordia University, Portland, Oregon.

Chestnut also is highly involved in the community. She serves as co-pastor of Fresh Anointing House of Worship in Selma and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., and the Alabama Retired Educators Association. 

A native of Selma, Alabama, she is married to Dr. Coley C. Chestnut, Sr. Together, they have five children, Tameka, Karley, Tamela, Coleysia, and Coley II. Moreover, she is the proud “Gigi” of five grandsons and one granddaughter.