Page 19 - TMCF 38th Anniversary Gala

Dr. Harry L. Williams
President & CEO DThurgood Marshall College Fund
Dr. Harry L. Williams serves as president & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation’s foremost organization exclusively representing the Black college community. Leading TMCF, Dr. Williams oversees its 57 member schools, comprising America’s publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), historically Black community colleges (HBCCs) and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs), collectively educating 80% of students attending HBCUs.
Under his visionary leadership, TMCF has experienced unparalleled growth, witnessing a remarkable revenue expansion exceeding 250%. His strategic direction
has elevated TMCF to not only serve as the premier representative of the HBCU community but also as a thought leader in equity, access and inclusion.
Dr. Williams has successfully forged strategic partnerships with leading Fortune 500 companies, including The Boeing Company, Medtronic, Visa, Ally Financial and Hennessy USA. His adept leadership has reimagined enduring partnerships with entities like Lowe’s, the
NBA and Wells Fargo, positioning TMCF as the foremost source for major employers seeking top diverse talent for competitive internships and corporate careers.
Emphasizing bipartisan collaboration, Dr. Williams has positioned TMCF to play a pivotal role in accelerating the legislative agenda for the sustainability of HBCUs. TMCF, under his guidance, has been at the forefront of significant national legislative victories, earning respect and trust from elected and appointed leaders on both sides of the aisle in Congress and the White House.
Formerly a distinguished HBCU president at Delaware State University, Dr. Williams utilized his tenure to
increase student enrollment and foster groundbreaking public/private partnerships, securing multi-million dollar investments into the campus. He is an adjunct professor at Howard University, teaching the next generation
of doctoral leaders. His commitment to institutional sustainability is reflected in his work to strengthen cooperation among TMCF member schools, fostering a collaborative network for HBCU leaders to share best practices and lead collectively.
In a forward-thinking move in 2022, Dr. Williams expanded TMCF’s impact by inviting HBCCs to join the membership, thereby supporting a diverse set of pathways to achievement.
Dr. Williams has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to higher education. His illustrious career includes senior positions at the University of North Carolina General Administration, Appalachian State University and North Carolina A&T State University.
He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Appalachian State University and a doctorate from East Tennessee State University. Named President emeritus of Delaware State University, he is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Williams is a devoted family man. Married to
Dr. Robin S. Williams, they take pride in their two accomplished sons, Austin and Gavin, both Howard University graduates. Gavin, now in his final year of law school at the Southern University Law Center, carries on the family’s legacy of academic excellence. Dr. Williams is also a doting grandfather to Porter Rae and Bloom Leigh, the daughters of Austin and his wife Reagan.
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