Faculty Bios

I received a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and a Specialist in Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida. I also have a Master’s in Counseling from the University of Hartford, a B.S. in Finance from Eastern Connecticut State University, as well as an Associate's Degree in Business Administration from Mohegan Community College. I have worked for more than fifteen years in various counseling and administrative positions in higher education. Specifically, I worked at Manchester Community College in student support services and at Santa Fe Community College as a counselor. Additionally, I have worked exclusively with first-generation college students as a counselor in the Student Support Services Program at the University of Connecticut, and as the associate director for the Ronald E. McNair Program at the University of Florida. Also, I was employed as residence director for housing at the University of Florida. My last position in higher education administration was as the assistant dean of students at the University of Florida. My overall research interest centers around the intersection of race, class and education. I focus on applying non-cognitive variables, such as hope, resilience and strength-based interventions to increase access, persistence, retention rates and the overall college experience for first-generation college students.

In addition to my work with college students, I have many years experience working with adults in community counseling as a forensics and substance abuse counselor. Positions I have held as a community counselor include serving as a counselor for the Non-Violence Alliance where I worked with men and women who were involved in the criminal system for their involvement in domestic abuse. I also worked as an addictions counselor for CDS Family & Behavioral Services Inc. and was the lead counselor for the forensic diversion team at Meridian Behavioral Healthcare Inc. In each of these positions I worked with criminal justice, judicial and social sciences agencies to provide substance abuse and mental health treatment. The goal of this interdisciplinary team was to provide clients with high-quality services to help them transition from the judicial system and reunite with their families so they could become productive members of the community.

I have been an active member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and divisions therein (AMCD, AACC), since 2005 and a member of National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and American College Professionals Association (ACPA). I grew up in New London, Conn., and am the youngest of three. I am happily married to Saranette Miles Williams; we have two children Hannah and Cyrus IV. My outside interests include spending time with my family and friends, exercising, and praising and serving Jesus Christ.