Tamara Williams

Tamara Williams has over 23 years of experience in higher education leadership. In her most recent role as dean in academic affairs at Central Piedmont Community College (Charlotte, N.C.), she provided leadership in curriculum and continuing education in the areas of Public Services and Transportation Technology. In her tenure at Central Piedmont, Williams established the first Tesla Start Program in the U.S. and was instrumental in building a workforce development pipeline for Cummins, Inc., through the first Technician Apprentice Program (TAP) in North America. Additionally, she provided campus leadership for the Merancas Campus in Huntersville, N.C.

Prior to her role at Central Piedmont, Williams served as associate vice provost, interim vice provost, and dean of academic affairs at Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio. While at Owens Community College, she was responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive enrollment management plan focused on student success and developmental education completion. She secured over $2.5 million in external grants designed for higher education reform and career and technical education.

Williams’ previous experience also includes serving as dean of career programs at Wayne County Community College in Detroit, Mich., and director of cooperative education and diversity at the University of Toledo. Williams is currently pursing doctoral research in higher education equity and diversity at the University of Toledo working towards a Ph.D. in higher education administration. She holds a master’s degree in higher education and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Toledo. In addition to her volunteer commitments to the greater Charlotte community, Williams served on the board for the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and the Mooresville/Lake Norman chapter of the United way. She was also named one of the most influential women in Lake Norman in 2015.