Wheaton welcomes new dean

If a picture is worth a thousand words, the one that newly hired Dean of Students Lee Burdette Williams keeps on her desk speaks volumes.

In a gold frame there is a black-and-white photo of her at age 20--a backpack casually slung over one shoulder, her head slightly tossed back in laughter. She keeps the photo front and center to remind herself to try and see the world through the eyes of students when working with them.

"I keep that there because I think one of the keys to success in this field is to always remember what it's like to be 20 years old," said Williams during a recent interview in her office. "I got into a lot of trouble as a student. I incited unrest among other students. I made dumb decisions. I chafed against authority. So I use a lot of that with my students. I know the different ways that people talked to me when I was in big trouble and what worked and what didn't."

It is just that kind of mindfulness--along with more than two decades of innovative work in student affairs--that got her hired here as Wheaton's new Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students. Williams, formerly the dean of students at the University of Connecticut, replaces Sue Alexander, who retired after 21 years as dean at Wheaton.

A search committee spent many months screening and interviewing applicants. "Lee was selected from an exceptionally strong pool of candidates for this position," President Ronald A. Crutcher noted in announcing her appointment. "She brings more than 20 years of experience and leadership in student and academic affairs as well as great energy.

"Her professional and scholarly work on the development of learning communities promises to bring us new insights into building collaborative partnerships between academic and student affairs."

Williams, who has a bachelor's degree in sociology, a master's in counseling and a doctorate in college student personnel administration, said the strength that she has always brought to her jobs is her ability to see the big picture and lots of connections. "I'm really intrigued by what I see as points of intersection. So I want to know more about what you do and figure out where you and I can connect," she said. "That tends to be how my mind works. When I was looking at the position what impressed me is that Wheaton articulated a desire for those connections to be made."

She is spending the summer getting to know Wheaton's big picture by connecting with as many people as possible in a variety of ways-from formal meetings to an informal picnic. Her goals as the new dean include "a lot of listening and observing."

"I'm really committed to creating conditions for the success of my staff," she said. "With students, it is my goal to be very visible, very approachable."

She also wants to continue to pursue her interest in creating partnerships with faculty through learning communities, student research, co-curricular programs infused with academic heft, and experiential education.

Prior to joining the University of Connecticut, Williams held administrative posts at Appalachian State University, Albion College, the University of Maryland at College Park, the University of Baltimore and Wellesley College. She also has taught courses in student affairs leadership, student development theory and in women's studies.

She said that one of the reasons she was drawn to Wheaton is because the college seems both proud of its history and excited about its future.

"I'm humbled to be given the opportunity to serve such a remarkable institution," she said. "I am glad I was able to convey my genuine excitement about the job to the search committee and others involved in this process. Most of all, I'm excited to join this community and serve with such an impressive leadership team. I know I will learn a lot."