Noted Educator Joins GCC and Begins Planning for New Student Success Coaching Initiative

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Dr. Shelitha Williams

BATAVIA, NY (06/14/2016)(readMedia)-- Dr. Shelitha Williams has assumed her role as the new associate vice president of Student Success at Genesee Community College, beginning her tenure on June 1, 2016. In this capacity, Dr. Williams will provide leadership, direction and administrative oversight of a new comprehensive enrollment and student services center, including the transition to the College's new Student Success Center. Scheduled for completion in June 2017, the Student Success Center will become the College's new "front door," welcoming new students and also assigning each incoming student with a "success coach" who will follow the student's academic progress through to graduation.

"Dr. Williams is highly respected and brings a wealth of knowledge and skill when it comes to dealing with student success at the community college level," GCC President James Sunser, Ed.D. said. "We are excited for the future of our students' experience at the College under Dr. Williams' leadership."

Prior to her arrival at GCC, Dr. Williams, who was appointed to the position in January, held the role of director of Student Engagement Services at Monroe Community College, working at the Damon City Campus. There, she was responsible for managing a comprehensive enrollment student services operation including admissions, advisement, registration, career services, counseling, disability services and transfer functions. Additionally, Dr. Williams supported the conduct review and adjudication process, working closely with faculty to support students facing crises.

"We were very pleased with the applicants for the role of associate vice president of Student Success," William Emm, executive vice president for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness and search committee member said. "But Dr. Williams' extensive background, experience and student involvement truly set her apart from the rest."

Dr. Williams was instrumental in the establishment of residence life at MCC, working as the director of housing and residential life from June 2004 until September 2013, prior to serving as the director of Student Engagement Services. She contributed to the design and build of a new 366 bed facility, which increased the campus housing to nearly 800 residents. Her experience will be called on as the College prepares for the unveiling of its new Student Success Center in 2017. The Student Success Center will house many staff members and success coaches who provide critical services to students outside of the classroom, and will be the focal point for academic and career success for students. The $5 million, 9,000 square foot facility will nearly encircle the College's central clock tower plaza, transforming the outdoor space into an inviting quad.

A graduate of the University of Rochester, Warner School of Education, Dr. Williams earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in 2015. She holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from Stony Brook University and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Potsdam. She is a member of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges, National Association of Student Affairs Professionals, National Council on Student Development, Association for Student Conduct Administrators and the American College Personnel Association. Her honors include YWCA Person2Person in 2015, Executive Mentor through St. John Fisher's Executive Leadership Program in 2014, Rochester's Emerging African American Leaders in 2009, and an Exemplary Service Award in 2008, presented by Onondaga Community College Housing Development Corporation.

Dr. Williams is a Rochester native and currently resides in the City of Rochester. Outside of her professional activities, she enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband, Wayne S. Williams Jr., have four children Zuri (8 years old), Caleb (3 years old), Cayden (3 years old) and Cecelia (4 months). She enjoys baking, art and creative craft projects.

"This is an exciting time for GCC and I am looking forward to working collaboratively to support student success during their journey at GCC," she said reflecting on the excitement she feel about the changes occurring at Genesee Community College with the new Student Success Center.

For more information, contact Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6616, or via email: dsutherland@genesee.edu.

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Editor's Note:

For a photo of Dr. Shelitha Williams go to:

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/Williams_Shelitha.jpg