Employee Spotlight: Angela Williams

Darby Gilliland

Angela Williams' career and educational journey at the University of Arkansas has spanned more than 30 years.

Angela Williams' career and educational journey at the University of Arkansas has spanned more than 30 years. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology in 1988. She and her brother were the first people in her family to graduate from college. She went on to earn three degrees from the U of A — Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 1988, a Master of Education in counseling education in 1991 and her Doctor of Education in adult education in 2006. Born and raised in Forrest City, Arkansas, Angela has been passionate about helping students from small, lower-income towns succeed in their education and their careers.

"I've helped thousands of students. I'm still connected with many of them who still reach out to me today," Williams said. "I enjoy hearing them share their success stories with me."

This passion has led her to significant roles in several university departments aimed at student success. Williams held multiple positions in Student Support Services, a federally funded program to assist first-generation, low-income, or disabled students. Starting as an academic counselor, she eventually became the director. As director, Williams strove to increase college retention and graduation rates for the students supported by the program.

Williams resigned from her role in Student Support Services in 2004 to focus on her doctoral studies in adult education. She worked as a graduate assistant until completing her degree, and then took a part-time role at the Offices of Career Connections that allowed her to spend more time with her children. Williams worked her way up to the executive director and eventually was appointed assistant vice chancellor of the Offices of Career Connections. Under her leadership, the Career Services team provided career readiness services to hundreds of students each year.

"One of the greatest accomplishments ​of which I am most proud has been the expansion of Career Services staff from eight when I started the role to currently 20​-plus staff. This has allowed us to expand career services to more colleges ​and departments on campus — and consequently to more U of A students," Williams said. "It has also enhanced and grown our campus partnerships, leading to an increase in the number of students' career engagements ​such as career services, career fairs and career-related programs, seminars, workshops and career courses.

"This increase has played a significant part in U of A students having some of the highest post-graduation career outcomes in the nation," she said.

Williams has brought her experience of increasing students' career readiness into the classroom. Williams is currently a teaching assistant professor for the Department of Student Success in Fulbright College. She teaches classes such as Fulbright College Career Connections — a course designed to equip students with skills, knowledge, and strategies to transition from academia to the professional world — and a class called Professional ePortfolio.

"I especially love teaching students about the power of an ePortfolio," Williams said. "While transcripts are the primary tool for demonstrating your outcomes as a student, an ePortfolio really allows an employer or graduate school to see the full picture of who you are and what you're going to bring to the table."

One of Williams's favorite things about working on campus is the community-building opportunities available to all members of the faculty, staff, and student body.

"It's been a great environment for me. I've made friends that I would call life-long friends," Williams said.

"It's a large campus, but there are always opportunities to connect and engage. Go to events and meet people. The more people you meet, the less isolated and more connected you will feel. I still often remind myself of this."

Darby Gilliland contributed to writing this article. 

About the Employee Spotlight Series: The employee spotlight series highlights U of A faculty and staff members, the impact they have on campus and the community more broadly, and what makes the university an employer of choice for them individually. Each U of A employee plays a critical role in advancing the 150 Forward strategic priorities: advancing student success, achieving research excellence and enhancing the university's status as an employer of choice. If you have a recommendation of an employee to interview, contact Rachel Gerner at rgerner@uark.edu.