Approval of Honorary Degree Candidate.
Dr. Harry L. Williams currently serves as the President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF's 47 member schools are America's publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), educating nearly 300,000 students.
Under Dr. William's leadership as President and CEO, TMCF has experienced tremendous growth, expanding its revenue three-fold and doubling its corporate partnerships. Williams created innovative partnerships with many top companies, such as Boeing, Medtronic, Visa, Ally Financial, and Hennessy USA. He also reimagined long-term partnerships with companies such as Lowe's, the NBA, and Wells Fargo. These partnerships cemented TMCF's status as the premier source for major employers seeking diverse talent for competitive internships and corporate careers.
By placing a strong emphasis on creating bipartisan alliances, Williams ensured that TMCF has been at the forefront leading on every significant national legislative victory for HBCUs, earning respect and trust from elected and appointed leaders on both sides of the aisle in Congress and the White House. In 2019, TMCF's first legislative priority, the FUTURE Act, became law after successfully forging a coalition and identifying resources. In 2020, TMCF successfully helped secure significant federal funding to help low-resourced HBCUs meet the financial challenges of COVID-19, and continue educating their students.
Williams served as the President of Delaware State University for eight years and previously held senior positions at University of North Carolina General Administration, Appalachian State University, and North Carolina A&T State University.
Dr. Williams earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Appalachian State University and his Doctorate from East Tennessee State University. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Dr. Williams is married to Dr. Robin S. Williams and is a proud father to two sons, Austin and Gavin.