Brevard, NC, August 21, 2023 –

The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education (Gardner Institute) is pleased to announce that Dr. Felita Williams, a seasoned higher education leader, has joined the Institute’s team as Senior Vice President for Services. In her role, Williams will work with the Gardner Institute’s staff and the institutions it serves on the delivery, continuous improvement, and evolution of the Institute’s myriad of student success services in ways that scale impact and advance the organization’s mission.

Prior to joining the Gardner Institute, Williams served as the Vice Chancellor for Student and Faculty Success at the University System of Georgia (USG), where she was responsible for the system-wide Momentum plan, course redesign initiatives, GEAR UP efforts, veteran support, the African American Male Initiative, initiatives related to adult learners, and other projects that focus on student and faculty success and learning. She led the USG Gateways to Completion project with the Gardner Institute.

Before joining the USG system office, Dr. Williams worked as the Provost and Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs at Georgia Perimeter College where she was also a member of the faculty. She holds a Ph.D. in American Government and Politics from the University of Alabama and where she also earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees. 

Williams stated, “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the Gardner Institute. I look forward to supporting the mutual goal of enhancing student success for ALL students in higher education!”

The Gardner Institute’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are thrilled and privileged to have Dr. Williams join our team. Her expertise and dedication to improving student success align perfectly with our mission. We look forward to the positive impact she will make alongside our staff and with our institutional partners.”

Koch added, “Dr. William’s deep experience working both within and across institutions on quality improvement efforts will serve our partner institutions well – particularly as we focus on   so that all students, especially students of color and students from low-income families, can earn a degree.” 

Dr. Williams began her new role at the Gardner Institute on August 1, 2023.

The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education is a non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with colleges, universities, philanthropic organizations, educators, and other entities to increase institutional responsibility for improving outcomes associated with teaching, learning, retention, and completion. It is dedicated to advancing higher education’s larger goal of achieving equity and social justice.

For more information on the Gardner Institute and its work, please visit www.gardnerinstitute.org.