Dr. Williams was included in Industry Era's Top 10 Inspiring CEOs of 2022 list and Insights Success's Most Inspiring Thought Leaders Transforming Education, 2022 list
SAINT GEORGE, UT, February 01, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Richard "Biff" Williams, PhD, has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all considered during the selection process.
Leveraging more than two decades of excellence in education, Dr. Williams serves as the president of Utah Tech University, an institution dedicated to providing students with real-world learning opportunities that prepare them to graduate career-ready. Since being named the institution's 18th president in 2014, he has worked to ensure all students, faculty and staff have the resources they need to succeed. Dr. Williams has facilitated the addition of 165 academic programs (with 85% of those programs in STEM fields), including the institution's first graduate degrees, a 50 percent increase in student enrollment, and the expansion of the campus's physical footprint.
Under Dr. Williams' leadership, Utah Tech enhanced student resources and experiences, nearly doubling the amount of scholarship funds, instituting the "active learning. active life" approach to education, increasing campus diversity and transitioning Utah Tech Athletics to Division-I. Thanks to his leadership, the number of awarded degrees has risen 50 percent, millions of dollars have been invested in employee salary increases, and the institution has been consistently included on U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges rankings.
Dr. Williams oversaw the rebrand of the university's athletic identity to the Trailblazers in 2016 and the institutional name change to Utah Tech University in 2022. The Utah Tech name represents the University's statewide impact and focus on offering students hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them to graduate career-ready in line with the University's polytechnic approach to education. As part of this mission, Dr. Williams has worked closely with technology and industry leaders to form mutually beneficial partnerships that inform curriculum and prepare graduates to meet industry demands.
To accommodate the University's growth, Dr. Williams has overseen construction projects such as the Science, Engineering & Technology building, the state-of-the-art Human Performance Center, two campus housing facilities and a massive renovation to Greater Zion Stadium. Additionally, construction on a third housing building and a general classroom building is set to begin soon.
Dr. Williams began his career as an assistant professor at the University of Northern Iowa in 1998 and then was the dean of the College of Nursing, Health and Human Services at Indiana State University in 2008. Following this time, he served as the provost and vice president of academic affairs at Indiana State University in 2013.
Prior to embarking on his professional journey, Dr. Williams earned a bachelor's degree in lifestyle management from Weber State University in 1994 and a master's degree in athletic training from Indiana State University in 1995. He then attained a Doctor of Philosophy in curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State University in 1998.
Among his professional accomplishments, Dr. Williams was included in Industry Era's Top 10 Inspiring CEOs of 2022 list and Insights Success's Most Inspiring Thought Leaders Transforming Education, 2022 list. Additionally, he is a proud member of the National Athletic Training Association. In 2017, he received the Champion of Change Award from the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce. He also was named a Star Fund Raiser by the Terra Haute Children Museum in 2014 and was honored with an Educator of the Year Award by the Indiana Rural Health Association in 2011. In addition, he was named Teacher of the Year and given the Honorary Caucus Professor Award by the University of Northern Iowa in 2008.
Looking forward, Dr. Williams is currently overseeing Utah Tech's five-year strategic plan, Trailblazing Distinction, which is guiding the University's growth from 2020 to 2025 as it becomes an open, inclusive, comprehensive, polytechnic university. Within the coming years, Dr. Williams plans to add more certificates, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees to Utah Tech's academic offerings. Additionally, Utah Tech will continue working with companies to prepare graduates to meet workforce demands and offer students a hands-on education.
About Marquis Who's Who®
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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