The board of trustees of Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, has selected Melva K. Williams as the institution’s seventh president and chief executive officer.
“I am honored and energized to serve as Huston-Tillotson ’s second female president,” Dr. Williams said. “I look forward to advancing an aggressive agenda that will ensure Huston-Tillotson ’s continued success.” At a news conference on her first day in office, Dr. Williams added “We won’t be the quiet school here in downtown Austin. We will find ourselves in places where we can partner and really expand our wings.”
Historically Black Huston-Tillotson University enrolls just over 1,000 students, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education. African Americans make up 64 percent of the student body.
Prior to coming to Huston-Tillotson University, Dr. Williams held numerous positions within the Southern University System in Louisiana including, executive associate to the chancellor, assistant vice chancellor and vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management at Southern University-Shreveport, vice chancellor at Southern University-New Orleans, and system chief of staff. Earlier she was a professor and associate dean at Centenary College of Louisiana. Earlier this year, she was one of three finalists for the presidency of West Virginia State University.
Dr. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and a master of public administration degree from Grambling State University in Louisiana. She earned a doctorate in higher education from Jackson State University in Mississippi.
Congratulations. Job 1 for you is to select the people you need to have around you and then LISTEN to them. The Buck stops at you but seek people who you trust to give you good advice. The questions you’ve got to continually answer are: Why are we here (Mission, vision and value statement): Where are we going? (Strategic Plans and Programs): How are we doing? Feedback mechanisms) How can I get the information, etc. to do my job? What recognin and Rewards system can I participate in? and, finally…What’s in it for me!!!! : What are the motivators you can use to stimulate performance? In addition, since a “NEW BROOM MAKES A CLEAN SWEEP, Job 2 IS LEADING A CULTURE CHANGE;. OBSERVE WHAT DO YOU GIVE STATUS TO; WHAT ARE THE SYMBOLS OF SUCCESS: WHAT ARE THE RITUALS YOU FOLLOW? WHAT ARE THE TABOOS WHICH ARE ETCHED INTO STONE? There are some more if you choose to follow-up. Would love to hear from you. Good luck.