Dr. Monique Gardner Witherspoon

Dr. Monique Gardner Witherspoon

Advisory Board Member

Dr. Monique Gardner Witherspoon is a Professor of Educational and Organizational Leadership at Samford University. She holds both a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Administration and a Juris Doctor, bringing a distinctive combination of expertise in higher education, public policy, organizational governance, and regulatory compliance to her academic and administrative leadership.

Dr. Witherspoon served as Associate Dean for eight years and currently serves on the faculty of Samford University’s doctoral program, where she teaches and mentors doctoral candidates in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Compliance.

Her distinguished career spans higher education, K–12 education, business, and the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining Samford University, she served as President and CEO of a major nonprofit organization and as Area Superintendent for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, among numerous executive leadership positions. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to organizational excellence, strategic leadership, and community impact.

Dr. Witherspoon’s leadership and service have been recognized through numerous prestigious honors, including the Area Superintendent of the Year Award; the Regional Affiliate of the Year Award from Girls Inc. of Central Alabama (three consecutive years); the Mayor of Birmingham’s Leadership Award; the Community Service Award from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; the Woman of Incredible Influence Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; the Vulcan Award; the Beeson Leadership Award; and the Junior League of Birmingham Bloom Award.

An active civic and governance leader, Dr. Witherspoon serves as Trustee and Board Secretary of Talladega College. She is Governance Chair of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, serves on the Board of Directors of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and is a board member of the Alabama Men’s Hall of Fame. She also serves on the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame Committee and holds leadership and advisory roles with several national, state, and community organizations.

A respected thought leader, Dr. Witherspoon is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, presenting at conferences and leadership forums at the local, state, and national levels. Her work focuses on organizational leadership, governance and compliance, earning widespread recognition for advancing effective leadership and institutional excellence.

Dr. Witherspoon is married to Dr. Craig Witherspoon, and together they are the proud parents of one adult son.