June 11, 2001

David Warren Williams, assistant vice president for institutional diversity at Central Michigan University, has been named director of the Hartford regional campus, effective Aug. 20.

Williams, who has a Ph.D. in student development from The Ohio State University, has had a career both in college administration and working for public schools.

"Dr. Williams brings a strong background in urban university education to his position at the Hartford campus, where we are seeking ways to expand our student base and enhance programming," says Fred J. Maryanski, vice chancellor. "The hiring of David completes our regional campus leadership team."

Williams, who along with the directors of the Torrington and Waterbury regional campuses will report to the associate vice chancellor for the tri-campus, says he is looking forward to joining the University. "This opportunity provides me with a chance to move the Hartford campus to a different level with expanded programming," he says, "and to build a strong partnership with the greater metro-Hartford area."

Williams says he believes a team effort is paramount to accomplishing positive outcomes in higher education: "The hallmark of my leadership philosophy is that true synergy is created when an all-inclusive, enfranchised team with a shared vision is created."

Williams, who serves as an ombudsman for under-represented campus groups at Central Michigan and provides oversight of diversity and international professional development activities for students, staff and faculty, oversees a budget of $8 million and has a professional staff of 35.

He also spent three years as an education consultant to the Minneapolis Schools, working to increase the number of teachers of color through alternative licensure programs, and served as a consultant to the Frederick Douglass Math and Science Technology Academy, a Minnesota charter school.

Former provost and vice president for academic and student affairs and a professor of secondary education at Metropolitan State College of Denver, Williams established 23 partnerships with government agencies, businesses, community organizations and educational institutions there and revitalized the Office of Grants and Sponsored Research, resulting in an addition of more than $12 million in revenue in three years.

He has also served as vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the Illinois Board of Regents in Springfield, vice president for academic affairs and professor of education for the Fort Valley State College in Georgia, and assistant dean for student affairs at General College of the University of Minnesota.

Williams holds an M.S. in music education from Indiana State University, a B.S. in music education from Albany State College, and a certificate in secondary school administration from the College of William and Mary.

Karen A. Grava