Selvon Waldron

Board of Directors

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Human bio: My joy comes from knowing that a new chapter is beginning. It comes from knowing that a new rotation has started. Amid challenges, my joy comes from the excitement and nostalgia our Genesys Works students share as they start their new semester of college (80% of our students are 1st generation college students). They carry with them the dreams of their ancestors, the hopes of their parents, and their wonder about their future. My joy comes from knowing that they are brave and knowing that they will change the world.

Professional bio: Dr. Selvon Malcolm Waldron is currently the Executive Director of Genesys Works for the National Capital Region. Genesys Works is a national nonprofit which supports over 2000 youth annually. The program provides pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities through technology and business skills training, meaningful work experiences, college and career coaching, and mentorship relationships. He is also an adjunct professor of Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation at the University of Maryland – College Park.

Dr. Waldron has an extensive professional background as a leader in career access and college preparation in Washington, DC and neighboring regions. He has secured and managed over $40 million in fundraising dollars in support of human development and education programs. He was previously the Director of Student Services at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School where he led a team focused on student life, employability, case management and exposing thousands of DC students to college and careers in Washington, DC. Additionally, he founded Mentor POST a mentorship and charisma coaching program for educators and community activists. His first executive role as a nonprofit leader was at the nationally recognized education and youth mentoring non-profit – Life Pieces to Masterpieces. Dr. Waldron served as their Executive Director for three (3) years after serving as their Director of Development. In his time at Life Pieces to Masterpieces, he led a 22% increase in their revenue to 1.3 million annually. 

Dr. Waldron has a love for community resilience building through education and economic development. He has a tremendous passion for education equity and workforce development.

In 2015, he received the Honorable Ron H. Brown Distinguished Leadership award. In February 2016, he was the recipient of the Amtrak/Monumental Pioneer Award for community and youth activism. In July 2016, he received Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Eleanor Norton in appreciation of outstanding and invaluable service to the community. In December 2016, he received the William Kellibrew Foundation’s Harvey-Davis Founders Award and in 2017, he was a finalist for the Education Award from the DC Office on Latino Affairs. In 2020, Capital One awarded him their Community Heroes Award for his commitment to college access in Washington, DC and in 2024 he received the University of Maryland Provost’s Do Good Award.

Dr. Waldron completed his doctoral work at the University of Pittsburgh in Education Policy and Social Change. He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration and his MBA from the University of the District of Columbia. He holds a master’s degree in Minority and Urban Education from the University of Maryland-College Park. Selvon also completed the Georgetown University Education Policy and Program Evaluation graduate certificate program. He currently sits on the boards of the New Futures, University of the District of Columbia School of Business and Public Administration, Evolving Minds, Kellibrew Survivors Network, and UpSkill Enterprise.