Crystal Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Crystal Ann Williams
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| 18th President of the Rhode Island School of Design | |
| Assumed office 1 April 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Rosanne Somerson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1970 (age 55–56) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Alma mater | New York University, Cornell University |
| Profession | Educator, poet |
Crystal Ann Williams (born in 1970) is an American educator and poet. She is currently the 18th president of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). She started this important role on April 1, 2022. Crystal Ann Williams grew up in two different places: Detroit, Michigan, and Madrid, Spain. She earned degrees from New York University and Cornell University.
Crystal Ann Williams' Career
A Poet's Journey
Crystal Ann Williams is a talented poet. Her poems have been featured in many different magazines and collections. Some of these include The American Poetry Review and Ploughshares. She has also performed her poems live in many places across the country. In 1995, she was part of the Nuyorican Poets Café National Poetry Slam Team. A poetry slam is a fun competition where poets perform their original work.
Williams has also received special awards and support for her writing. These include grants from the Oregon Arts Commission and the MacDowell Arts Colony. These awards help artists focus on their creative work.
Her Path in Education
Williams began her teaching career at Reed College. She was a professor of English there. From 2011 to 2013, she also served as the dean for institutional diversity. This role meant she helped make sure everyone at the college felt welcome and included.
Later, from 2013 to 2017, Williams worked at Bates College. She was an associate vice president for strategic initiatives. This meant she helped plan important projects for the college. She also continued to teach English.
In 2017, Williams moved to Boston University. She first became the associate provost for diversity and inclusion. This was a new role created to help make the university a fair and welcoming place for everyone. She then took on an even bigger role as vice president and associate provost for community and inclusion.
In 2021, it was announced that Williams would become the president of the Rhode Island School of Design. She officially started this role on April 1, 2022. She made history by becoming RISD's first Black president.
