BROOKLYN, NY, June 02, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Robert J. Williams Jr., Ph.D, MPH, has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individual's profiles are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Williams, a Vietnam Veteran, was reared by his parents the late Robert and Marie Hargett-Williams in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, is married to Rev. Bernadine Thomas-Williams, MSW, ACSW and father to the late Crystal Marie Williams, BFA.
Dr. Williams is renowned as an educator and speech language pathologist with more than 40 years of excellence in his field. He initially pursued an education at Brooklyn College graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Speech. While enrolled in a phonetic class at Brooklyn College, he experienced difficulty transcribing phonemes in General American dialect. Struggling with the class, he was assigned by his professor to a speech language pathologist who was in charge of the speech phonetic lab in order to pass the class. At the end of the semester, he was congratulated on his perseverance, progress and accomplishment in the class. Motivated by his own struggle and improvement, Dr. Williams was inspired to focus on a career in speech.
Subsequently, Dr. Williams earned a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from Emerson College in 1974 and a Doctor of Philosophy in speech and language pathology, audiology, linguistics and psychology at Florida State University in 1977. He began his career as an Assistant Professor of Speech Language Pathology at Old Dominion University in 1977 and at Howard University from 1978 to 1980 teaching undergraduate and graduate courses and writing editorial responses in the Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders.
Between 1980 and 1990, Dr. Williams served as the Associate Director and Coordinator of the Harlem Hospital Speech and Hearing Center/ENT Service, Columbia University Affiliation. He provided speech and language evaluations for patients with communication disorders, conducted diagnostic therapy for "difficult-to-test" infants through adults, conducted baseline audiometric and impedance screening services and coordinated otolaryngological, pediatric, psychological, social work, nursing and rehabilitative recommendations of the Center's interdisciplinary team. Dr. Williams employed and supervised faculty and staff personnel and developed ongoing public information programs funded by the National Institute of Aging, Helena Rubinstein, Inc., Columbia University, Citibank, City of New York and Harlem Hospital Auxiliary, Inc. During his tenure, he attended the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Advocacy Meeting, held in the Indian Treaty Room, East Wing of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, to solicit legislative support for health care reforms and Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from former U.S. Representative Charles B. Rangel; he was named to the National Service Registry of the Library of Congress #90-71200; he obtained a Master of Public Health in Health Administration from Columbia University, 1985.
From 1990 to 1995, Dr. Williams worked as a Speech Teacher at Atlanta Public Schools. Dr. Williams utilized augmentative devices and curricula to provide speech, language services for middle students with moderate to profound disabilities; and conducted staff development courses for special education teachers in the area of assistive technology. He was named to the Department of Human Resources, Division of Rehabilitation Services Statewide Advisory Council for Assistive Technology Resources; he received the Pioneer Award in Assistive Technology from John F. Kennedy Middle School, 1995; obtained a Certificate of Advance Studies in Education Administration and Supervision as a Director of Special Education, Georgia State University, 1995.
From 1996 to 2002, Dr. Williams was employed as a Senior Speech Language Pathology Consultant at Symphony Rehabilitation Services. In this capacity, he provided services to adults who experienced difficulty swallowing foods or liquids (dysphagia).
Between 2002 and 2019, Dr. Williams served as a Teacher of Speech Improvement at P396K, District 75, New York City Department of Education. He provided speech, language assessment and intervention services for kindergarten to middle school students with a range of disability labels including moderate to profound intellectual deficit, Autism Spectrum Disorders, cognitive delays, emotional disturbances, sensory impairments and multiple disabilities. Dr. Williams worked collaboratively with Educational Assistants, Special Education Teachers and Related Service Providers to facilitate and support the communicative needs of the students. He shared speech and language strategies with colleagues; secured grants for the school; and conducted Parent Speech Workshops designed to enable parents to support their children's communication efforts at school, at home and in the community. During his employment at P396K, Dr. Williams accomplished the following: he earned a Certificate of Advance Studies in School District Administration, Long Island University, 2006; obtained National Accreditation as a Certified Grant Specialist and as a Certified Grant Administrator, June, 2007; and appointed as PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports), Coordinator for School Year 2012-2013. (Note: PBIS is a proactive program designed to promote social, emotional and academic success for all students). He was also awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Playing A Key Role In Making The Award Ceremonies Successful at P396K, May, 2019.
From 2011 to present, Dr. Williams has been active as Adjunct Assistant Professor, Speech, Communication, Theatre Arts Department at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), City of New York, teaching theories, concepts, research and effective communication skills related to the Fundamentals of Speech Course.
Recently retired, Dr. Williams plans to remain at BMCC while expanding his advocacy work for children with special needs and working on a resource book for parents. He is a member of The Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Dr. Williams grew up in Bridge Street African Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal (AWME) Church and became an Eagle Scout and a Church School Superintendent. At present, Dr. Williams is a member of the Board of Trustees, The Finance Committee, Edward A. Carter Veterans Ministry and the Arthur L. Funn Lay Organization. He is also the President of the Board of Directors for 575 Hancock Street Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC), Bridge Street AWME Church affiliate, that provides affordable housing for low income residents who live in the Bedford-Stuyvesant Community.
Dr. Williams attributes his accomplishments and achievements to his belief in God, to the encouragement, love and support received from parents, family and friends and from Bridge Street AWME Church family. He believes that the transformative power of spiritual growth and development provided the catalyst for his philosophy of life that includes: a strong sense of family values, an appreciation of cultural diversity, an unwavering commitment to higher education, to enhancing the quality of life and promoting the empowerment for others.
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