About Alison Williams

Dr. Alison Williams grew up in northeast Ohio where she started her chemistry career in high school, washing glassware and performing assays.  She received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Wesleyan University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry from the University of Rochester.  For 25 years, she served as a chemistry faculty member, teaching at Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Princeton and Barnard College of Columbia University.   She was an NSF ADVANCE Fellow and served as a Sigma Xi Distinguished National Lecturer. Williams then spent 11 years in academic administration working on diversity, equity, inclusion and access, including the last three years as a VP for Equity & Inclusion and Title IX Officer.  

Her experiences as an African-American woman in a male-dominated field reinforced her passion for helping colleagues incorporate inclusive practices in and out of the classroom. Throughout her career, Dr. Williams has displayed a passion for social justice, increasing access, inclusion, and belonging for all, especially as an advocate for those who have been oppressed and those from marginalized identities.  She has served on the steering committee of numerous professional organizations and various boards.

Dr. Williams has received numerous recognitions for her teaching, outreach and mentoring activities.  In addition to her work as a DEIA expert, she is a mother of two, a semi-professional oboist, gardener, and an avid sports fan, especially for Cleveland teams.