Meet Dr. Monica G. Williams, the Trailblazing President of Texas Woman’s University in Houston
Dr. Monica G. Williams, a respected Black fundraising executive and educator, has recently assumed the role of Texas Woman’s University’s (TWU) first president in Houston. Her journey, filled with personal and professional achievements, shatters barriers and opens up new avenues for women of color, especially in the realm of higher education.
Growing up in Houston, Williams never imagined herself working in education, let alone in a leadership position. Her early years were filled with uncertainty, especially after becoming a mother at a young age. “I started out as a teen mom and was unsure of my future, but I saw how influential teachers changed the course of my life,” Dr. Williams shares. This profound impact from educators motivated her to pursue higher education when her daughter started kindergarten.
In 1992, Williams enrolled as a non-traditional student at Texas Southern University (TSU), where she majored in English and minored in journalism. Despite the challenges of being an older student, she excelled academically, completing her degree in just two years and a summer session. Her love for writing led her to contribute to the Houston Defender, sparking her connection to the community she would one day lead.
However, it wasn’t long before Williams found her true calling in the classroom. After teaching English for a few years, she realized that her impact could reach far beyond the confines of a classroom. Faced with a choice between pursuing a teaching certification or a master’s degree, she chose the latter, viewing it as an opportunity to provide more resources to students of color. This decision marked the beginning of her journey into higher education administration, where she tirelessly worked to secure funding and resources for institutions serving minority students.
Her remarkable fundraising efforts at TSU and other institutions, including Prairie View A&M University and Rice University, garnered attention from higher education leaders, ultimately leading her to TWU. Dr. Williams’ dedication to education and administration made her the perfect choice to lead the new Houston campus, a responsibility she eagerly embraced.
As the Founding Managing Director of Community Partnerships for the United States Fund for UNICEF, she spearheaded efforts to raise awareness about impoverished children worldwide. Through building organizational capacity and forging partnerships with diaspora groups, she raised over $200 million for higher education institutions and other organizations.
With bold vision and extensive experience, Williams now steps into the role of TWU’s first president in Houston. After nine years as the vice president of advancement and foundation president at the University of North Texas at Dallas, where she played a pivotal role in strategic planning and a significant increase in enrollment, she is excited for this new chapter.
“I aim to enhance the visibility of Texas Woman’s University in Houston,” she states. “The transformative power of education and its impact on communities through serving students who return to give back is what sets Texas Woman’s University apart.” Her passion for education, specifically in empowering women through learning, underpins her leadership approach.
Williams looks forward to helping women achieve their goals and aspirations in a supportive environment. “The students have been waiting for me,” she reflects. “I assured them that we will build this university together as a team because a collective impact is more achievable than working alone.”
Her leadership philosophy centers on collaboration and understanding the unique challenges women face, particularly Black women, at the intersection of racism and sexism in various spheres of life. From financial obstacles to biases in healthcare, Williams sees TWU as a vital institution that equips women to excel in their careers while maintaining a balance in their personal lives.
“We don’t have to choose. We can do it all,” she asserts, emphasizing the importance of creating a nurturing environment where women can flourish both professionally and personally.
To young women striving to find balance between demanding careers and personal fulfillment, Williams offers a simple yet impactful piece of advice, “Chase your dreams until they become reality.”