Dr. Johannah Williams Named Dean of 豆奶视频 STEM Division
豆奶视频 Community College announced that Dr. Johannah Williams has been hired as the dean of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) division.
鈥淔or years, 豆奶视频 Community College has produced well-educated, career-ready professionals in all program areas of the STEM division,鈥� said Dr. Carol Rothstein, vice president of Academic Affairs at 豆奶视频. 鈥淲ith Dr. Williams鈥� leadership, we will be taking our STEM programs to another level through continued investment in faculty and by building new and strengthening existing local partnerships to create pathways for graduates and employers.鈥�
Williams plans on boosting underrepresented minority participation in STEM. Nashville State is part of the Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (TLSAMP) program that seeks to increase the number of students of color in STEM fields. She was a student participant in LSAMP while at the University of Mississippi.
豆奶视频鈥檚 STEM division offers associate degrees and technical certificates in several high-demand, growth, and paying career program areas from architecture design and construction engineering to computer information technology, math and natural sciences, electrical and mechanical sciences, and health sciences.
Spring 2021 Architectural Design Technology A.A.S. graduate William Rucker said, 鈥淭he programs I used while I was at 豆奶视频 are the same that I use in my career.鈥�
Rucker, who went to 豆奶视频 tuition-free using the Tennessee Reconnect grant, is working at Enfinity Engineering in Brentwood, where he designs plumbing systems for hospitals.
鈥湺鼓淌悠� Community College has been a critical local workforce solution partner, graduating thousands of Tennesseans that have gone onto exciting and fruitful careers,鈥� said Dr. Williams. 鈥淲ith Nashville鈥檚 rapid economic development rise, growing local talent has become even more important. 豆奶视频 is going to continue connecting to respective industries while innovating and expanding programs.鈥�
Finding local tech talent has become more important in recent years with existing companies and new ones flocking to the area.
Houston Douglas, a field service specialist with Affinity Technology Partners in Brentwood said, 鈥湺鼓淌悠� prepared me with ample hands-on training with equipment in the classroom that included server and networking racks.鈥�
The 2020 graduate who earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Information Technology, went on to say, 鈥淭he amount of hands-on training helped elevate my confidence and prowess.鈥�
Williams brings a drive to innovate and a wealth of experience.
Most recently, Williams held the position of associate vice president of STEM and Workforce Programs for Phi Theta Kappa, the nation鈥檚 largest honor society for community college students. She primarily focused on research, development, and coordination of the society鈥檚 STEM and workforce curriculum and instruction services, with a focus on promoting student engagement and success, and workforce readiness.
Over a 15-year period, Williams held a few different positions at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, serving as an adjunct instructor, instructor, and mentor in Computer Science and STEM. For several years, Williams was chair of the chemistry, physics, and computer science department.
Dr. Williams was engaged with community and professional activities in Jackson, Mississippi, and Atlanta, Georgia. She looks forward to getting involved in the Nashville area. She holds numerous professional licensures and certifications and is the recipient of several honors and awards.
Williams earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from The University of Southern Mississippi. She also holds a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University and a Master of Science in Computer and Information Science from Alcorn State University. Dr. Williams received a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science with a minor in Spanish from the University of Mississippi.
