Damon L. Williams Jr. has been named associate vice president in the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Office for Institutional Diversity.
Damon L. Williams Jr.
Williams is associate dean of diversity and inclusion at Northwestern University (NU) and the chief academic diversity officer of its graduate school.
“My scholarship and work in diversity, equity, inclusion and justice intentionally moves us away from the binary, often limiting, concepts of human difference to ‘excellence expressing itself through the intersections of perspectives and lived experiences,’” Williams said. “This forward thinking and futuristic inclusive excellence framework centers DEIJ squarely in institutional and human values, permitting everyone to engage in shaping meaning and belonging. Strategic diversity aims to transcend the feelings of otherness by tapping into and uniting the excellence in each person.”
Williams has received honors and awards, such as Xavier University’s Louisiana Alumni of the Year Award and NU’s Penny Warren Service Award.
He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Xavier University of Louisiana, a master's in marketing from Tulane University, and an MBA from Fontbonne University. He is also a doctoral student at Louisiana State University studying higher ed administration.
