Director
UVA Wise Career Discovery and Planning
Wise, Virginia, United States
Tonya Nations joined the University of Virginia’s College at Wise in 2022 as the Director of Career Discovery and Planning. In this role, she serves the College by connecting students with people and opportunities regionally, nationally, and globally, while supporting her administrative home in the Office of Economic Development and Strategic Initiatives. She also provides support for the VTOP Innovative Internship Program for Region 1, which began in early 2023.
Throughout her 26-year career, Tonya has held officer and board positions for state and regional professional associations (MACE, SoACE) and served on committees for state and local governments career initiatives, such as the Governor’s Job Fair Network. While director at William & Mary, she was voted as one of the Most Influential Women on Campus in 2019; and, in 2022, she was one of the nominees for the Values in Action Award. At UVA Wise, Tonya was presented with the Impact Leader award by the National Society of Leadership and Success in 2023.
Tonya is an alumna of the University of Southern Mississippi (BS, Psychology) and the University of South Alabama (MS, Counseling). She also holds a Certificate in Modern Leadership from William & Mary.
Married with four children and three grandchildren, Tonya and Jimmy (husband) enjoy their time together, whether it’s spent traveling, entertaining, helping others, or trying new things. Both are very glad to call Southwest Virginia their home.
Disclosure information not submitted.
Virginia’s Regional Work-Based Learning Panel
Monday, June 9, 2025
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM EDT