Dr. Gregory D. Williams began his connection with community colleges as a student at Odessa College (OC) in 1983. He has served as its president since 2007, taking the college through a systematic transformation. Recently, the college implemented a $78 million campus infrastructure improvement project, a “30 for 30 Fitness Challenge” annual community-wide fitness program, and a “Drive to Success,” program in which OC partners with businesses to encourage student participation in success-driven activities. Under his leadership, the Odessa College team has broken institutional records in enrollment, student retention, and fundraising. In 2017 and 2019, the college received the Rising Star Award for Community College Excellence from the Aspen Institute.
Dr. Williams has served on a number of local, state, and national boards including chair-elect of the Texas Association of Community Colleges, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Formula Funding Committee, Community College Advisory Group, P-16, and the Academic Achievement Distinction Committee, American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Board of Directors and their Executive Board, Chair of AACC’s Committee on Community College Advancement and on the 21st Century Commission on the Future of Community College’s Developmental Education Redesign Committee, Aspen Institute Change Management Task Force, and JFF Policy Leadership Trust for Student Success.
Education
Ed.D. (Higher Education Administration) | Baylor University
M.A. (Education Mid-Management); M.A. (Psychology); B.A. (Psychology) | University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Past Experience
President | Western Texas College
Vice President of Student Services | Midland College
Dean of Student Services | Amarillo College
Dean of Enrollment Management/Student Services & Professor of Psychology | Odessa College
How has education changed your life/your family?
The amazing “filter” that we call education is a serious game changer for those of us who grew up in poverty and simply wanted a chance to pursue the American dream. Preparation for and access to a quality education changed my life in very positive ways, and gave me an opportunity to dream and to effectively pursue my dreams. My education and my learning and growth served as a staircase for my life. Every educational, and connected life, experience made me stronger, more resilient, and better prepared to pursue the next challenge.