After working with the District of Columbia’s Department of Recreation as a Drama Specialist In the therapeutic recreation’s performing arts program for eleven years, Walter Gholson went back to school, earning a bachelor of journalism degree and minors in speech communication, psychology, and alternative education at the University of Nebraska. He worked as a counselor for African-American students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, creating several innovative programs, while giving motivational talks at the local correctional institutions.
After leaving the University of Nebraska in 1992, he was appointed as assistant director for Chicago State University’s Office of Admissions. While at UNL, he proposed and developed what was called “The Black Male Forum.” The forum was a two-hour opportunity for students to hear from successful African-American men who had previously experienced some of the same problems that the young men and women students were currently experiencing. There were a question-and-answer segment and a buffet after the session. In 1996, he was appointed as Interim Director and later Assistant Director for Chicago State University’s Office of Student Activities.
In 1997 he moved to Philadelphia, PA, to pursue a Master of Education and Doctorate of Education in Temple University’s Department of Education. While completing the requirements for the degrees, he worked as a substitute teacher at several urban elementary, middle and high schools in the School District of Philadelphia. He served as Assitant to the Dean and Operations Manager for the Lincoln University Center for Graduate Studies in the University City section of Philadelphia, PA., from 2003 until 2005.