Tri-County's Dean of Students James Williams Receives Award for
Commitment to Advancement of Access and Equity Causes in State

CONTACT: JAMES WILLIAMS, EXT. 2187

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/19/2000
(By Lisa Garrett)

COLUMBIA --- Tri-County Technical College's Dean of Students was presented a Distinguished Service Award today (October 20) for his strong commitment and support of excellence and equity in higher education in the state.

James H. Williams, of Easley, received the award from the S.C. Professional Association for Access and Equity at the two-day Annual Access and Equity conference in Columbia. The S.C. Commission on Higher Education co-sponsors the conference.

Since 1994, Mr. Williams has served as Dean of Students at the College. He has the responsibility for admissions, counseling, financial aid, job placement/cooperative education, multicultural affairs, student records, TRIO programs and the One-Stop Career Center. Mr. Williams joined Tri-County as its Business and Human Services Division Chairman. He later took on additional duties as assistant dean of instruction.

Gwen Owens, the College's Comprehensive Studies Division chair, commented that Mr. Williams is dedicated to creating and maintaining an institutional environment that values racial and cultural diversity. "Mr. Williams shares his time, talent, intellect and other resources. He believes that once you have gained access, then you have the responsibility to help others to gain access," said Mrs. Owens.

Mr. Williams oversees the College's Access and Equity Leadership Team, which is responsible for developing and directing the leadership, evaluation, research and accountability for Tri-County's access and equity initiative. The team consists of the College's president, administrators, staff and the College's liaison to the Commission on Higher Education. These individuals develop strategies and identify resources to accomplish the goals of access and equity.

Mr. Williams is a past winner of the South Carolina Technical Education Association's Administrator of the Year award and the Pickens County NAACP Educator of the Year award. He is active in civic and professional organizations and serves on the board of directors for Central Carolina Bank (CCB) Western Region.

He holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from Voorhees College and an M. Ed. in administration and supervision from Clemson University. He has completed additional graduate studies at the University of South Carolina and Indiana State University. He is currently pursuing the master of divinity degree at Erskine Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Dr. Frankie Keels Williams, live in Easley.
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