Felita Williams
Senior Vice President for Services
Felita T. Williams, PhD is the Senior Vice President for Services at the Gardner Institute. Her years of experience in higher education culminated in her serving a Vice Chancellor for Student & Faculty Success at the University System of Georgia (USG). Her passion for education is best described by a quote from Texas congresswoman Barbara Jordan - “Education remains the key to both economic and political empowerment.” It is her belief in this simple statement that keeps her motivated and working in higher education.
Dr. Williams earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Her passion for education is founded on the belief that education is a path to economic and political empowerment.
Felita T. Williams is the Senior Vice President for Services at the Gardner Institute. Previously, she served as Vice Chancellor for Student and Faculty Success at the University System of Georgia (USG).
Dr. Williams has worked in higher education since 1995 initially as faculty and ultimately in senior-level administrative positions (at the institutional and system level) focused on institutional effectiveness, faculty success, student retention, persistence, and success. She was honored to represent the USG on the Georgia Committee for the US Census Committee in 2010 and 2020.
Dr. Williams served at the national level as the President of the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE), an international organization for presidential assistants and other professionals who support higher education leaders; and on the Commission on Diversity and Inclusion 2003-2006, American Association of Community Colleges.
Dr. Williams completed the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) that allows potential community college presidents, or those in transition, to analyze their abilities, reflect on their interests, refine their skills, and engage in leadership discussions with an unparalleled faculty of community college leaders.
Dr. Williams resides in Atlanta, GA, with her rescue yorkie, Taco. She enjoys reading, walking, watching movies, and Ted Talks.
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