U.S. Air Force Col. Shamekia Toliver ’02 is leading with engineering expertise and a call to serve

MAY 29, 2025 — United States Air Force Col. Shamekia Toliver ’02 graduated from the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design at UTSA with her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Her path to becoming commander of the 42nd Air Base Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama began in 1994 as a young, enlisted Airman stationed in San Antonio. At the time, she was looking for a university that could help her continue her long-held goal of becoming a civil engineer. She found that and more at UTSA.

Toliver recalls that the university’s flexibility, academic partnerships and support for nontraditional students made it an ideal choice for her while she was serving in the military and taking courses at night.

“There were a lot of commuter students and people like me who didn’t fit the typical mold,” Toliver said. “UTSA didn’t just make room for us; it really embraced us. That made all the difference. Honestly, I don’t know if I would’ve finished my degree anywhere else.”

“There were a lot of late nights, a lot of challenges. But that time in my life gave me grit. And UTSA gave me the support to keep going, even when it felt overwhelming.”

Left: Col. Toliver rings the bell celebrating 10 years in remission from breast cancer at Maxwell. Right: Toliver stands beside her aunt, Retired Chief Master Sgt. Tina Media.

As a student, Toliver participated in the Air Force ROTC Detachment 842 at UTSA and earned a scholarship through the Airman Scholarship Commissioning Program. She remained in reserve status while completing her studies and was ultimately commissioned through the ROTC program after graduation.

During her time on campus, she rose through the detachment’s leadership ranks, eventually serving as cadet corps wing commander. She said the leadership lab experiences and mentorship from officers in the program helped her build confidence and develop the skills she would carry into her future command roles.

“One of the most powerful things UTSA gave me was space to grow as a leader,” she said. “It let me practice leadership, mess up, try again and figure out what kind of leader I wanted to be. That shaped so much of who I am and how I lead today.”

Toliver was a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program, a recognition awarded to cadets who demonstrate outstanding leadership, academic excellence and strong officer potential.

She says she was fortunate to have several mentors at UTSA who helped shape her academic and professional journey. One in particular was Alberto Arroyo, Ph.D., P.E. who introduced her to the process of becoming a licensed professional engineer. With his guidance, she prepared for and passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and eventually earned her Professional Engineering license in both Texas and South Carolina.

“Dr. Arroyo didn’t just teach a class; he opened a huge door for me. I didn’t even know what it meant to be a licensed professional engineer until he took the time to explain it,” she said. “That conversation changed the direction of my career. When I started leading squadrons and support groups, having my P.E. gave me more than technical knowledge. It helped me understand the full scope of the operations I was managing, from infrastructure planning to environmental compliance to construction oversight.”

Outside the classroom, Toliver was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and participated in community service on campus and in the Greater San Antonio area. Her chapter hosted academic study groups and career readiness workshops for students preparing to enter the workforce, even collecting business attire for professionals in need.

Through the sorority, she also helped organize breast cancer awareness fundraisers, an experience that took on new meaning years later when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Last year, she celebrated 10 years in remission.

“When I was in college, I didn’t have a personal connection to breast cancer,” she said. “It was just something we felt called to support. Then years later, when I was diagnosed, it was surreal. It reminded me how service can come full circle in ways you never expect.”

Toliver’s life as a student was full. In addition to her coursework, ROTC involvement and sorority leadership, she was newly married. Juggling so many responsibilities at once helped prepare her for the demands of military leadership.

“There were a lot of late nights, a lot of challenges,” she said. “But that time in my life gave me grit. And UTSA gave me the support to keep going, even when it felt overwhelming.”

Over the course of more than two decades, Toliver has led engineering teams across the globe and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has served in critical assignments at Shaw Air Force Base, the Pentagon and Joint Base San Antonio and abroad in South Korea, Iraq, Qatar and Afghanistan. Before assuming command at Maxwell Air Force Base, she led the 502nd Installation Support Group, where she oversaw installation support for one of the largest joint bases in the U.S. Air Force.

As commander of the 42d Air Base Wing, Toliver now leads more than 40,000 active duty, Reserve, civilian and contract personnel in support of Air University and 45 mission partners. The wing’s work has a regional economic impact of $2.2 billion annually.

Throughout her career, Toliver has leaned on her engineering background to advance the technical aspects of her early assignments and to solve complex problems and lead diverse teams.

“You promote yourself out of a technical role as you rise in rank, but the problem-solving skills you gain from a STEM degree never stop being useful,” she said. “UTSA didn’t just teach me how to be an engineer. It taught me how to think critically and lead through challenges.”

Toliver also remains grounded in her faith, which she says helps her lead with compassion and clarity. Her airmen are a constant source of motivation, and she sees it as her responsibility to create an environment where they can thrive.

“My faith keeps me centered,” Toliver said. “It reminds me to treat people like people. Our Airmen come from all walks of life, and many of them are far from home or going through difficult things. If I don’t take care of them, they can’t focus on the mission. That’s what drives me every day.”

Toliver credits UTSA with shaping both her leadership and her technical foundation. The lessons she learned as a student continue to guide her today.“UTSA gave me opportunity, encouragement and the foundation I needed to launch my career,” she said. “I’m proud to be a Roadrunner. This university will always be part of my story.”

— Jordan Allen