Williams Appointed Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Community Engagement
JONESBORO – Dr. Lonnie Williams becomes vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement at Arkansas State University effective Jan. 4, 2021, Chancellor Kelly Damphousse announced today. Williams was appointed the interim vice chancellor on June 19, 2020.
“During his six months as our interim vice chancellor, Dr. Williams has served admirably and provided valuable leadership during a challenging fall semester,” Damphousse said. “I discussed the permanent position with him in December, and I am pleased that he has agreed to accept the appointment. I am looking forward to his ongoing input and counsel as a member of our Chancellor’s Cabinet.”
Williams joined Arkansas State in 2003, and previously served as associate vice chancellor for student affairs before joining the Chancellor’s Office in 2017 as special assistant to the chancellor. He holds four degrees from the University of Arkansas, and worked there for 27 years prior to coming to Arkansas State. He was an assistant vice chancellor for student affairs in Fayetteville from 1991 until 2003. While at A-State, he was honored by his alma mater with the Silas Hunt Legacy Award from UA in 2009 and has had a leadership award named in his honor by their Black Alumni Society in recognition of his work in support of diversity and inclusion.
In the Jonesboro community, Williams has represented the university on the Craighead County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee for several years, and has helped organize the annual MLK Day walk and ceremony, which for 2021 will be a virtual event due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
