A Journey Rooted in Service and Growth
Dwanna Toney recently celebrated her fourth year at Dillard University, where she has been a driving force behind the Center for Career and Professional Development.
Originally from Mississippi, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Southern Mississippi. While not an HBCU alumna herself, she calls New Orleans home, as her family roots tie her deeply to the city, she said.
“In a sense, I came back home,” said Toney.
Though her current role focuses on career services, Toney also has teaching experience. At Dillard, her passion is fully centered on helping students prepare for life after college.
Passion Meets Purpose: Preparing Students for the Future
What sets Toney apart is her innovative, experience-based approach to career services. She believes in going beyond the traditional résumé and classroom preparation by connecting students with real-world opportunities, she said.
From taking students to conferences, festivals and professional trips to finding hands-on experiences that showcase their talents, Toney ensures every student sees the link between their passions and future careers.
“It’s one thing to write on your résumé that you’re knowledgeable,” she explained. “It’s another thing to show you have the experience actively.”
Her philosophy is rooted in engagement; she understands that today’s students thrive when their education aligns with their interests and creativity, she said. By meeting students where they are, she demonstrates that success doesn’t have to be a dream; it can be a reality shaped by doing what you love every day.
Known for her humor and encouragement, Toney has a signature saying that many students remember, she said
“We want you to go out and get the good job, because the good job brings the good checks and the good checks allow you to come back and take your nice T.T. to the restaurant with the napkins and not the paper ones,” the saying goes.
Her ability to blend wisdom with humor makes her both approachable and unforgettable to students, she said.
Celebrating Toney’s Impact
Toney has the ability to make career planning both exciting and personal. By creating spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered, she has transformed the Center for Career and Professional Development into a hub of possibility.
For students seeking guidance, Toney is always available to share resources, advice, or simply encouragement. She is not only a director—she is a mentor, advocate, and cheerleader for student success.
Fun fact: when she isn’t guiding students toward professional success, Ms. Toney is a proud plant mom. Some of her plants have been cared for over eight years. Her collection once grew to nearly 20, many of which she lovingly rehabilitated and gifted away, she said.
Office Location: Center for Career and Professional Development – 2nd floor of Student Union
Email: [email protected]
