First Lady Tonya Barge Edington

Tonya Barge Edington is the First Lady of the University of the District of Columbia and the wife of President Maurice Edington. A dedicated professional, community advocate and mentor, she brings a strong commitment to service, education and leadership to her role.

Mrs. Edington holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in management, both from Eastern College (now Eastern University) in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. She has more than 20 years of experience in human resources, having worked in retail, manufacturing and higher education. She currently serves in HR at a marketing agency, where she focuses on organizational growth and employee development.

A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Mrs. Edington pledged with the Delta Kappa Omega graduate chapter in Tallahassee, Florida. She has been active in a variety of service initiatives, including scholarship programs, back-to-school drives and community health projects.

Originally from DeFuniak Springs in West Florida, she grew up on a farm as one of seven siblings in a large, close-knit family. She enjoys mentoring and supporting her 11 nieces and nephews and eight great-nieces and great-nephews. She is also a proud stepmother to President Edington’s daughter, Dr. Gabriella Edington.

As First Lady, Mrs. Edington remains dedicated to fostering community engagement, supporting educational access and empowering future leaders.