Office Hours with John Gardner
Duane Williams discusses how the institution is co-creating traditions with students and the community. He explains the importance of building traditions in enhancing the student experience and fostering relationships within the community. Additionally, he highlights the significance of authenticity in working with faculty, communities, and first-generation students.
Duane A. Williams, Ph.D, is the Associate Vice Provost of Student Success and Retention at TexasA&M San Antonio. In his role, he oversees Undergraduate Academic Advisement, the Student Academic Success Center, First-year Experience, and other student success-related initiatives within the Division of Academic Affairs and the Office of the Provost. In his role, Dr. Williams works collaboratively with other university divisions, academic leadership, and various campus units to develop, implement, and evaluate student success initiatives.
Before Texas A&M – San Antonio, Dr. Williams served in several Directorship roles at Montclair State University, New Jersey. Specifically, he served in the Office of Student Belonging, in the Center for Leadership and Engagement, and in the Office of Academic Success and Retention Programs. In this role, he spearheaded a broad range of programs and activities that supported students’ transitional experiences and fostered a sense of belonging. These included multiple areas such as First Year Student Orientations, First-Gen Initiatives, international student support services, veteran and military student certification, adult and transfer student programs, advising and engagement initiatives, and an array of leadership development experiences.
Before Montclair State University, Dr. Williams had served as a Director in the Center for Advisement and Student Success at Hudson County Community College, New Jersey. There, he was able to develop a comprehensive understanding of the non-traditional and first-generation student population. Being a first-generation student, Dr. Williams has enjoyed working on initiatives that directly and indirectly affect the success and retention of students during their college years.
With a formal management and public administration background, Dr. Williams has utilized his organizational leadership skills to support and create policies and practices that affect student development and ultimately, student success. Dr. Williams earned his Ph.D. in Family Science and Human Development at Montclair State University.
