Angela L. Walker Franklin, a native of McCormick, South Carolina, is a Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude graduate of Furman University. A licensed clinical psychologist, she completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Emory University, followed by a year-long clinical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Franklin, who became Des Moines University’s 15th president in the spring of 2011, has worked in higher education for more than 25 years. Previously, she was executive vice president and provost at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where she oversaw academic and administrative departments. She held a professorship in Meharry’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.
Prior to her role at Meharry, Dr. Franklin held several positions at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, including vice dean, associate vice president for academic and student affairs, associate dean for student affairs, director of counseling services and assistant professor of psychiatry.
A former American Council on Education Fellow (2001-02), Dr. Franklin is also a 2004 protégé of the Millennium Leadership Institute which is sponsored by the Association of State Colleges and Universities in preparing the next generation of leaders in higher education. She also participated in the 2008 Prospective President’s Workshop of the United Methodist Church Affiliated Schools.
Since becoming the 15th President of Des Moines University, Dr. Franklin has published the university history entitled, “Now is the Time, Des Moines is the Place” which chronicles a 100+ year history of training health care professionals. She has established institutional goals and priorities for the future and in December 2018, launched Purple and Proud, a $25 million dollar fund raising campaign which was surpassed a year later. With the transformative vision to build an entirely new campus on 88 acres of land purchased in West Des Moines, the campaign continues with fundraising efforts focused on the new campus. Dr. Franklin is leading the effort to plan and design the new campus which is anticipated to open in summer 2023 coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the founding of the university.
Dr. Franklin is actively involved in the Des Moines Community, serving on the boards of Bankers Trust, The Greater Des Moines Partnership and The Harkin National Advisory Council. She is also Chair of the Assembly of Presidents of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) and was recently asked to serve on the AACOM Adaptive Work Group Addressing Racism in Healthcare and the George Washington Carver Statuary Hall Project. In addition, Dr. Franklin is a former board member of the nationally recognized Association of Academic Health Centers (AAHC), United Way of Central Iowa, and the Science Center of Iowa. Former chair roles held by Dr. Franklin include chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership Workforce Development/Education Board, chair of the United Way Health Cabinet, chair of the American Heart Association “Go Red for Women” movement, chair for the 2015 JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, as well as chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership Community Health Needs Assessment/Mental Health Workgroup.
In 2022, President Franklin was honored by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine with the Dale S. Dodson Award in recognition of her significant contributions to the advancement and support of osteopathic medical education. She also was inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame, which honors the achievements of Iowans who have made outstanding contributions to the development and enhancement of the state’s business climate. Other awards she has received include: 2017 American Psychological Association Training Advisory Committee Special Award, 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award from the Iowa Department of Human Rights, the 2015 Mary McLeod Bethune Award (Educator of the Year) from the Iowa Juneteenth Observance Committee, the 2014 Women of Influence Award from the Des Moines Business Record, the 2014 Inspire Award from Dress for Success, and the 2013 African American History Maker Award from the African American Museum of Iowa.
Dr. Franklin is an inspirational leader and author of her 2014 published memoir, “An Unconventional Journey… An Unlikely Choice,” which chronicles her journey to the college presidency and lessons learned in leadership. Dr. Franklin has been featured in several local and national publications and speaks locally and around the country on the topics of women leaders, transformative leadership, and building a culturally competent and diverse workforce.
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) honored DMU President and CEO Angela Walker Franklin, Ph.D., with its 2022 Dale S. Dodson, DO, Award, on April 29 during its annual conference in Denver, Educating Leaders, the largest gathering …
When Des Moines University asked its alumni, employees and friends to make gifts in celebration of One Day for DMU, they responded in a big way. During the annual 24-hour event, from noon to noon April 20-21, 293 donors contributed …
DMU’s new West Des Moines campus is still a work in progress, but Dave Kapaska, D.O.’86, M.B.A., and his wife, Mary Ann, already have made their mark on it by naming the Telehealth Room, to be located in the Innovation …
On a brilliantly sunny, first autumn day, Des Moines University’s new campus steering committee watched a white beam be “flown” to its permanent home in the uppermost southwest corner of the Innovation Building, under construction on an 88-acre site in …
After the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on their final year as DMU students, members of the Class of 2021 had plenty to celebrate during Commencement activities May 26-28. While those events had to occur completely online last year, this year …
On March 1, 2021, Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., marked her 10-year anniversary as DMU’s 15th president and CEO. The decade brought some difficult decisions and needed changes, an unexpected pandemic, a successful fundraising campaign and the biggest development in …
Planning a Commencement ceremony for hundreds of medical students and guests is no small feat in a good year. Doing so amid a pandemic, however, is nothing short of Herculean. “I have 450-some email messages relating to this year’s Commencement,” …
The study of the human body is essential in the study of medicine. On May 21, 2021, Des Moines University honored 36 individuals, 9 of them honored veterans, who generously donated their bodies to DMU’s Body Donor Program to further …
As an elementary school student, Angela L. Walker Franklin attended summer band camps held on the campus of Furman University. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, magna cum laude, at Furman and, as a graduate, served …
The DMU community was saddened by the death of Nicholas Conway, D.O.’61, in late April, but his legacy will endure through his many years of patient care, the family and friends he treasured and the lasting impact his generous support …
A record number of donors, 295, participated in Des Moines University’s One Day for DMU fundraising event, contributing a total of $178,104 from noon to noon April 28-29. Those who participated supported 23 different funds, including the DMU Fund, which …
Des Moines University, a graduate medical and health sciences university, today announced it is extending its capital campaign from the original goal of $25 million to $50 million, making it the largest fundraising campaign in the University’s history. The campaign, …
This fall, in a letter to all students, DMU President Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., welcomed new students and those returning (either on campus, or in a clinical setting). She stated, “Beginning this new academic year has been uniquely challenging …
At DMU’s 17th annual Glanton fundraising event on Oct. 8, President and CEO Angela Walker Franklin, Ph.D., said it looked “different” from previous years, and not just because it was held virtually. “This year, we possess an even greater sense …
The sweet smell of hay wafted on the breeze and birdsong filled the air on a recent partly cloudy morning in West Des Moines. On an 88-acre site that was mostly spent cornfields, a pheasant was startled into flight by …
More than 250 Des Moines University students, faculty and staff – wearing masks and practicing physical distancing – gathered on campus on Friday to demonstrate solidarity in accepting the shared responsibility of protecting people of all backgrounds by addressing racism …
In 2018, Des Moines University became the nation’s first medical school to partner with the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), the nation’s leading advocacy group for mental illness, to offer its provider education program to third-year osteopathic medical students. All medical schools train …
On Dec. 8, 2018, DMU launched the public phase of “Purple & Proud – the Campaign for Des Moines University,” a $25 million fundraising effort and the largest such endeavor in the University’s history. It is set to conclude in …
Even though America is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, millions of adults and children face hunger and food insecurity every day. According to USDA’s Household Food Insecurity in the United States in 2018 report, more than 37 …
The City of West Des Moines and Des Moines University (DMU) announced a partnership today that makes DMU Clinic Physical Therapy the exclusive provider of physical therapy and athletic training services for the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex currently under construction …
Nearly 400 central Iowa community members came together Oct. 16 to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion at Des Moines University’s 16th annual Glanton Dinner. The event generates financial support for the University’s Glanton Fund, which was established in …
Des Moines University is seizing a rare opportunity: creating a brand new medical and health sciences campus on a blank slate of central Iowa farmland. FROM PARKING PROPOSAL TO BOLD ADVENTURE What began in December 2018 as a modest proposal …
Rain fell on the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 11, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of fair-goers for DMU Day at the event. They enjoyed the 94 osteopathic manual medicine and physical therapy demonstrations performed by 49 student …
Early in her 20-plus-year career in higher education, Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., developed a reputation as “the VOR – the voice of reason” – who was the go-to person for getting things done. The more her career evolved, though, …
Each year Des Moines University establishes a legislative agenda. These are the issues we are committed to focusing on for the upcoming legislative session, developed with input from the DMU Executive Leadership Team. This year one of our priorities identified …
Des Moines University, a graduate medical and health sciences university, on Dec. 8 announced it has begun the public phase of the largest capital campaign in the institution’s history with a goal to raise $25 million or more. To date, …
Fifteen years ago, a small group of community members met to discuss how they could open opportunities and foster diversity at Des Moines University. They established a fund at DMU that would generate scholarships for minority students under-represented in health …
In March, Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., marked her seventh year as DMU’s 15th president and has only stepped up the cadence. Here, she reflects on her tenure and continuing priorities for the University. Raised in McCormick, SC, inthe segregated …
We have to start somewhere on addressing mental illness. DMU did. The dire lack of access to mental health care represents a moral, medical and financial catastrophe worldwide. To tackle this enormous crisis, DMU decided to start somewhere: It is …
When Des Moines University hosts its 15th annual Glanton Dinner on Oct. 25, it also will honor two individuals whose generosity and service are widely evident in Iowa and far beyond: John and Mary Pappajohn. Presented this year by Mercy …
An Unconventional Journey: An Unlikely Choice by Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D.
This is a story of perseverance and awakening.
Angela Walker Franklin's journey evolved from
self-doubt and trepidation into a purpose-driven life that led her to a college presidency in a most unlikely place. The lessons learned along the way have defined her current approach to leadership and should be inspirational to others who are trying to chart their own path. Order your copy today.
Now is The Time; Des Moines is the Place: A History of Des Moines University
by Lee Anderson, PH. D.; Kathy Penningroth
Des Moines University has survived against the odds for more than 100 years and successfully built a legacy of excellence in health sciences education.
Throughout those years, there are stories of virtue, vision and hope, as well as episodes of questioned leadership, meager resources and frayed credibility. DMUs history is intertwined with the history of osteopathic medicine and the development of the health care industry in the United States.
This book covers the years 1898 to 2003, illustrating in each chapter how effective leaders can advance an institution and how committed faculty, loyal students and a generous community can defy the odds against success. Order your copy today.
Speaking Engagements
President Franklin speaks regularly to both the DMU campus and Des Moines communities and organizations on topics ranging from leadership to current health care issues.
January 15, 2021 Panelist: What Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his teachings mean to me. MLK Special Virtual Event. West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
January 27, 2021 Panelist: Importance of social-emotional development in the health and development of kids and the role the healthcare system and leaders in our community can play in fostering these skills and supports for children and families. Virtual Town Hall with Sesame Street Communities. Iowa Alliance for Healthy Kids
February 10, 2021 Speaker: Then. Now. When. What’s being done - Healthcare. “Obligation of health sciences universities in training future health professionals.” 1619 Project Leadership Institute Program. Held Virtually.
February 22, 2021 Interview: Discuss Cares Act Funding for future telehealth services at new DMU West Des Moines campus. WHO Radio/iHeart Media.
March 12, 2021 Speaker: “DMU’s Bold Vision for the Future.” Des Moines AM Rotary Virtual Meeting. Held virtually.
April 8, 2021 Presentation: West Des Moines Campus. Waukee Rotary.
June 10, 2021 Phone Interview: West Des Moines Campus. Joel Fohrman, Design Develop Construct Journal. Interview for Fall Edition.
June 22, 2021 Expert Panel: WDM EDGE. Virtual Webinar. Education – Industry Trends, Reflections & Future. Presented by Bankers Trust.
July 6, 2021 Panelist: “Women Supporting Women” NEXUS Breakfast Meeting. Held virtually
July 29-30, 2021 Opening Remarks - Heartland Interprofessional Education Conference. Held virtually.
July 2021 Edition DSM Inclusion 2021. “Creating Opportunities Through Diversity” – Challenging Students to examine cultural biases and stereotypes in their education journey.
August 11, 2021 Speaker: DSM Partnership: Investor & Member Monthly Briefing “Update on physical construction and educational advancement at DMU”. Held virtually.
September 1, 2021 West Des Moines Chamber DEI Excellence Awards
Education: Des Moines University
DEI Leader of the Year: Dr. Rich Salas, Chief Diversity Officer, Des Moines University
DEI Student Leader of the Year: Ruffin Tchakounte, DMU Student,
September 10, 2021 Exclusive Beam Signing Event, Purple & Proud Campaign. Embassy Club West.
September 14, 2021 Podcast Interview OneVoice DSM - Major Projects Highlighting major projects (new campus in the works across our region. Distribution in late September / early October.
September 30, 2021 Keynote Speaker. IGIA Women’s Network Conference. Held virtually.
September 30, 2021 Roundtable Discussion. “The Politics of Health.” Dr. Franklin - the impact politics have on academic health centers and healthcare in general. Speaker alongside two members of the CDC. AAHC Annual Virtual Meeting. John Auerbach, MBA, Director of Intergovernmental and Strategic Affairs, Center for Disease Control and Prevention as well as Jeff Reczek, MPA, Director of the Washington Office, Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
October 19, 2021 Speaker: Inaugural “Construction Inclusion Week.” In 2020, a group of general contractors – Gilbane, DPR, Turner Construction, Mortenson, McCarthy, and Clark Construction created a consortium titles “Time for Change”, with a single purpose - identifying ways to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in construction. Dr. Franklin spoke on the topic of unconscious bias.
October 27, 2021 Ribbon Cutter. Des Moines University Clinic Physical Therapy at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex. DMU PT is the exclusive provider of physical therapy and athletic training services for the facility.
August 4, 2020 Presentation: Covid-19 Pandemic from a medical perspective and the challenges faced at DMU. NEXUS Executive Women’s Alliance
August 12, 2020 Featured: CEO INsights Interview. West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
August 26, 2020 Panelist: “Evolving Leadership Styles in Navigating Challenging Times.” Women Mentoring Virtual Event. Held via Zoom. West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.
September 24, 2020 Speaker: Leading a world-class medical teaching institution in light of the current global health crisis. Virtual Lunch and Learn with Leaders. Iowa Economic Development Authority/Iowa Finance Authority
October 16, 2020 Interview: “Serving Others.” Own It! Women Lead Change Podcast. Episode 9
October 20, 2020 Panelist: What Does Hunger Mean to our Workforce? 2020 Virtual Iowa Hunger Summit. The World Food Prize Foundation
2019
April 5, 2019 Keynote: “Lifting as we Climb” Iowa Women in Higher Education Event.
April 13, 2019 Panelist: “Harnessing Your PowHER.” LadyLike Women's PowHer Brunch.
April 16, 2019 Interview with Christine Riccelli - “How I Got Here” feature for the July/August issue. Business Publication Des Moines
April 19, 2019 Keynote: “Women in Leadership, Leadership Principles and Promoting Diversity.” Interfaith Alliance.
September 19, 2019 Keynote Speaker: “Lifting While We Climb.” ABWA - American Women's Association.
September 24, 2019 Panelist: Aspire TogetHER Event. Banker’s Trust Women’s Affinity Group.
September 27, 2019 Breakout Speaker: Power Through Policy. Government Relations Update. AAHC Annual Meeting.
October 2019 Featured: “Crisis Management: Institutional Integrity,” Association of Academic Health Centers (AAHC) Leadership Perspectives, Fall Issue.
October 10, 2019 Panelist: Difficult Decisions,” Iowa Women Lead Change Central Iowa Conference.
October 25, 2019 Guest Speaker: “Women in Business for the 21st Century.” McCormick County Women in Business Annual Awards Luncheon.
October 29, 2019 Speaker: Book Series. “You are Destined for Greatness.” Iowa Soybean Association.
2018
April 16, 2018 WHO Radio podcast with Suku Radia, News radio 1040 WHO, iHeart Radio, Des Moines, IA
May 17, 2018 Breakfast Keynote: “Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health in the Workplace/DMU Wellness.” Healthiest State Initiative Annual Conference.
May 22, 2018 Panelist: “The State of Mental Health.” Greater Des Moines Partnership, Capital Crossroads Wellness Capital Meeting.
July 3, 2018 Keynote Speaker: “What’s My Story.” I Am Psyched! American Psychological Association.
October 11, 2018 Panelist: Evolution of the C-suite - Envisioning the Future of Academic Health Centers. AAHC Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.
November 3, 2018 Links Mental Health Keynote: “Wearing Our Various Hats with Grace: A Candid Mental Health Discussion Amongst Friends.” Hendersonville, Tennessee Chapter Links.
