With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Brenda Williams offers clients a wealth of insights on effective retention strategy. She helps campuses improve student retention rates, raise graduation rates, and design and implement retention plans. Dr. Williams has consulted with a number of four-year and two-year institutions, including Utah State University, Delaware State University, Martin University (IN), Oakwood College (AL), Memphis College of Art (TN), Wilson College (PA), Assumption College (MA), Henry Ford Community College (MI), and Monroe College (NY). At Utah State, she helped the campus raise its first-year retention rate from 66 to 75 percent in three years, with retention of high ability students rising from 80 to 96 percent.
Currently a professor of English and education, Dr. Williams has administered several effective enrollment and student retention programs. While serving as associate provost at the University of New Haven (CT), her efforts generated an overall 15 percent increase in retention. This result was due in part to successfully increasing the responsibility and involvement of faculty and staff in planning marketing, recruitment, and retention programs. Dr. Williams also served as vice president of academic affairs and dean of Mitchell College (CT), where she led efforts to enhance all aspects of academic instruction and support.
Prior to her administrative and teaching positions at the University of New Haven and Mitchell College, Dr. Williams served as an instructor of English and chair of the University of Hartford’s (CT) Reading and Academic Development Department.
Awards and education: Dr. Williams has received numerous scholastic and professional awards, and serves as a board member for several academic and community organizations. She holds a Ph.D. from Washington University (MO) and a certificate in management development from Harvard University. |