Malika Clinkscales

Malika Clinkscales is vice president of University Mentor Strategy & Operations at Western Governors University, where she leads the university's mentoring strategy and oversees a network of more than 2,000 mentors dedicated to helping students achieve their academic and career goals. Her work focuses on advancing evidence-based coaching practices, strengthening student engagement, and scaling personalized support to improve student success.

With more than a decade of experience in higher education leadership, coaching, and organizational strategy, Clinkscales has built and led initiatives that help colleges and universities improve student enrollment, persistence, and completion. Before joining WGU, she served in several executive leadership roles at InsideTrack, where she partnered with institutions across the country to implement student success strategies, lead organizational change, and expand coaching programs. She also helped develop strategic partnerships with organizations including the United Negro College Fund and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, supporting student success initiatives that reached more than 50 institutions and 55,000 students.

Throughout her career, Clinkscales has championed holistic approaches to student success that recognize the importance of meaningful human connection, belonging, and individualized support. She is a frequent speaker at national conferences on mentoring, coaching, leadership, and student success, and has extensive experience in strategic planning, organizational development, and change management.

Clinkscales earned a Bachelor of Science from Howard University, a Master of Arts in Women's Health from Suffolk University, and a Master of Science in Management, Strategy & Leadership from Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business. She also holds an executive certification in diversity coaching from Howard University School of Business and the Coaching Diversity Institute, as well as a certificate in Women's Entrepreneurship from Cornell University.  She is currently enrolled in New York University’s Doctor of Education, Leadership and Innovation program.