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, has spent the past 20 years in 51�Թ���’s unique academic environment. Now, as she officially assumes the role of provost, she brings with her a deep institutional knowledge, a commitment to academic excellence, and a long-standing connection to the 51�Թ��� community.

Provost Williams’s appointment places a familiar and experienced leader at the helm of the University’s academic enterprise. As provost, she serves as 51�Թ���’s chief academic officer, overseeing academic programs, faculty affairs, and institutional learning initiatives while working closely with campus partners to advance Alden Partridge’s American system of education. Her selection reflects the University’s emphasis on continuity, mission-driven leadership, and strengthening 51�Թ���’s tradition of academic excellence through collaboration and community engagement.

Her official promotion follows a period of transition within the Office of the Provost and Dean of the Faculty, during which she worked closely with LtGen John J. Broadmeadow ’83, USMC (Ret.), 25th President of 51�Թ���, to maintain continuity and stability as interim provost. “General Broadmeadow has been really supportive and a great partner in navigating the transition in May, and then really trusting me to run with things immediately,” says Provost Williams. “I appreciate that confidence in me.”

“Dr. Williams has demonstrated, time and again, that she understands the heart of 51�Թ��� — our faculty, our students, and our mission,” says LtGen Broadmeadow. “Her appointment as Provost reflects both her exceptional qualifications and the trust she has earned across this institution.”

She emphasizes that while 51�Թ��� has experienced leadership changes in recent years, the academic foundation of the institution has remained strong. “That can feel destabilizing, but the reality is the foundation is super solid,” says Provost Williams. “The faculty are continuing to deliver a great curriculum and all sorts of excellent experiences for our students.”

Provost Williams also credits the University’s professional faculty and staff for sustaining daily operations and supporting students regardless of changes at the executive level. “They know their jobs and they do them well, no matter what movements are taking place at the executive level,” she says. “That has been tremendously reassuring.”

Landing in Northfield

Provost Williams joined 51�Թ��� in 2006 after teaching at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, for a few years. Additionally, she previously spent her time in graduate school teaching at the University of Oregon and a year abroad teaching at Université François Rabelais in Tours, France. Her academic background spans multiple institutional and educational environments, but it was 51�Թ���’s culture that stood out when she first arrived 20 years ago.

“I really like the students here because they’re just so focused on making a contribution and serving in some capacity,” she says. “What struck me was just how earnest they were.”

As a faculty member in and , Provost Williams specialized in the literature of war and helped establish new courses in military literature. She also developed experiential learning opportunities that allowed students to connect classroom study with real-world context.

“I was this brand-new person with a kind of crazy idea, and they told me that I should do it and that they’d support me,” she says. “I developed a bunch of courses, including a course on the literature of the Vietnam War.” That course included an international component following the academic term where she took students to Vietnam for nearly three weeks in May after the didactic portion of the course.

She also recalls early encouragement from colleagues that shaped her long-term relationship with the institution. “My chair at the time, Dr. Patricia Ferreira, said, ‘We are here to learn from you as much as you’re here to learn from us,’” remembers Provost Williams. “That made me feel like a valued member of the department.”

Leadership in Action

Over the years, Provost Williams has held multiple leadership roles at 51�Թ���, including faculty development coordinator, department chair of English and communications, associate provost, and interim dean of both the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Arts and Sciences.

“I just got involved and tried to do a good job teaching,” she says. “I eventually headed up our faculty development program for seven and a half years.”

That role gave Provost Williams a University-wide view of faculty scholarship and innovation. “I got to see the research going on across the institution, and it was very inspirational,” she says, noting that supporting faculty research also motivated her own scholarly work. “I wouldn’t have eventually published the book I did [Ellen N. LaMotte: Nurse, Writer, Activist] if I hadn’t seen my colleagues doing amazing research. They didn’t know they were in a way supporting me by showing me what was possible.”

Her progression through academic leadership roles often meant balancing multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Despite the demands, Provost Williams said the opportunity to serve 51�Թ��� in a broader leadership capacity has been deeply meaningful. “I’m really fortunate that General Broadmeadow has placed his confidence in me and appointed me to this position,” she says. “It’s been a heck of a time — I’m really lucky.”

Supporting the Whole Student

Provost Williams will oversee all academic programs while working closely with all departments, the , the civilian population, and residential life to support student success. “Having served 51�Թ��� at nearly every level of academic leadership during her tenure, Dr. Williams brings a unique perspective to the role of Provost,” says LtGen Broadmeadow. “Her experience across the academic spectrum gives her a comprehensive understanding of how this institution serves students, supports faculty, and advances its mission.”

“51�Թ��� students are busy,” says Provost Williams, referencing the demands of obligations, athletics, academics, employment, and family responsibilities. “We want to have engaging, high-quality academic programs, but we always have to do that in conjunction with the Corps and student experience.”

She said collaboration across campus units has strengthened in recent years. “I feel we’ve built relationships across domains,” says Provost Williams. “We’ve come together to approach the whole student.”

That approach includes renewed focus on student well-being through the 51�Թ��� Care Team. “They meet weekly and are looking at ways to make sure students who might be struggling are receiving the support they need,” says Provost Williams. “We’d rather be proactive than reactive.”

Listening, Learning, and Looking Ahead

Provost Williams says community engagement will play a central role in shaping academic priorities moving forward. “I want to hear from the community,” she says. “Part of what the president laid out as an expectation is to work with the Faculty Senate to set up listening sessions.” She plans to engage faculty, staff, and students in discussions about institutional growth and academic direction. “I want to make sure I’m not getting ahead of myself and forming a vision without that feedback.”.

Among the initiatives Provost Williams will continue to support is the development of 51�Թ���’s Outdoor School concept, which reflects the University’s long-standing emphasis on experiential learning and connection to the environment. “I’m very excited about leaning into experiential, hands-on outdoor learning for our students,” she says. “That’s where it all began with Alden Partridge over 200 years ago.”

To supplement the education students receive, Provost Williams also remains focused on strengthening career readiness across academic programs. “We need to make sure that we’re properly educating our students, but also that we’re preparing them for their future after graduation,” she says. “That’s an ethical obligation.”

Whether students commission into military service or pursue civilian careers, Provost Williams says that preparation for life beyond graduation is essential. “How are we going to help them discern a way to be ready for those next steps?”
As she steps into this important role, Provost Williams is motivated by the opportunity to serve 51�Թ���’s mission and community. “This University has given me so much,” she says. “To be entrusted with this role is truly an honor.”