Dr. Michael M. Shackleford was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. He attended Armstrong High School where he was a student athlete and began to value education.

Upon completing high school, he enrolled in Virginia State University where he met the love of his life and his wife of 53 years. While enrolled at Virginia State, he majored in Business Administration and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Later, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology and a Doctor of Education from George Washington University.

Upon graduation from Virginia State University, Dr. Shackleford was commissioned a Second Lieutenant into the United States Army, where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and served a total of 24 years before retirement. He had the pleasure of serving as the Professor of Military Science at Virginia State as well as an Assistant Professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. At Virginia State University he was inducted into the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and the Athletics Halls of Fame. After retirement from the military, Dr. Shackleford exhibited a passion for the higher education environment. He served as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Virginia State University and Norfolk State University for a total 25 years. He developed a passion for assisting students with finding colleges and universities that represent good fits.

Clearly, he recognizes the importance of bonding the right student with the right college, thus enabling the student to realize and achieve sought goals. Dr. Shackleford truly believes that career goals are obtainable, and he is committed to assisting students with their education journey. In 2021, he partnered with his family, Building Bridges Education in Boston, Massachusetts.