by Charles Osen

Two Southwestern College graduates and one retired faculty will be inducted into the Southwestern College Leaders in Service Hall of Fame for the Social Sciences on Friday, April 19, as part of the college’s celebration of Founders Day Weekend. 

Willie Williams, Austin, is one of the inductees.

Williams, a 1968 graduate of Southwestern College, has over 50 years of experience in the development, direction, and implementation of mental health, intellectual and developmental disability, and substance use policies and programs designed to the meet the needs of critical target populations. 

He has a history of forging diverse collaborative relationships that foster respect and inclusion.

Williams has held an array of educational, clinical and administrative positions.  As liaison and contract administrator for the city of Austin, Texas Public Health, he interfaced with more than 27 planning partnerships, agencies, and governmental entities regarding issues related to mental health intellectual developmental disabilities, substance use, and services for the aging.

As a clinician and administrator with Integral Care, the Local Mental Health, Intellectual & Developmental Disability and Substance Use Authority, Williams was instrumental in redesigning the Community Aids Resource Education (CARE) Outreach program. He implemented a collaborative treatment approach with the faith-based community integrating non-traditional services and advocacy to the HIV/AIDS targeted population. This also included contracting with community faith-based organizations.

Williams has a master’s degree in social psychology, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology, with a minor in economics. He is a UC Berkeley teacher intern and a Robert A. Taft Fellow graduate. He holds multiple interdisciplinary licensures and certifications.

Williams has served on numerous board of directors and advisory boards including: Family Elder Care- Lyons Garden; University of Texas, School of Nursing, AMEN Project; Austin State Hospital (ASH) Redesign Committee; National Leadership Council (NLC) African American Behavioral Health; Texas Association Addiction Professional (TAAP); Community Advancement Network (CAN); and Leadership Austin.

Williams has received numerous awards including: 2020 Community Spirt of Collaboration Butler Award; 2015 Community Leadership Butler Award: 2014 St. Edward’s High School-The Golden Guard inductee: 2010 Richard E. Hopkins “Torch” Community Leader Award: and 2009 National Alliance Mental Ill-Central Texas -Professional Award.

Other inductees include Paul Bean, ’85, and Claudia Geer, retired faculty.

Southwestern College is a private liberal arts college, founded in 1885 by Methodists in south central Kansas. Today its Winfield campus is the residential hub that guides students to lives of meaning and service, with well-rounded academic and extra-curricular offerings attracting traditional-aged students from throughout the nation and world. Southwestern College Professional Studies provides options for online students in any location and has been named a top provider for persons serving in the military. The college continues to be affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Ujima Magazine salutes Willie Williams on this great accomplishment. We congratulate you.