A scholar, mentor and community builder

[Link]

Jan. 8, 2025

University of Missouri Assistant Professor Michael S. Williams is more than just an educator - he's also a coach for intellectual athletes and an advocate for community building.

His journey into academia has been shaped by a deep-rooted passion for teaching, learning and understanding how people excel in different arenas. 

Growing up, Williams found himself drawn to the world of sports, where he explored the intricacies of team dynamics and individual excellence. 

"The ways to get to teaching and learning for me have always been completely different," he said. "I've always been fascinated by how people get good at stuff."

His journey took him through various academic pursuits, from finance and information systems to higher education. It was during his master's program at the University of Pennsylvania that Williams found his calling in academia, thanks to the encouragement of mentors.

"They saw something in me and suggested I explore higher education," Williams recalled. 

With a newfound clarity of purpose, Williams embarked on a path that would lead him to join the faculty of Mizzou's College of Education and Human Development.  

Research, collaboration and mentorship 

Williams nurtures and guides his students and colleagues to reach their full potential. 

His research focuses on understanding and promoting success through interpersonal relationships, particularly within academia. He examines topics such as socialization, mentoring and sense of belonging, with an emphasis on supporting students, faculty and staff.  

Through programs such as Connection, a faculty professional development group, he has helped create spaces for scholars from different disciplines to come together to share their expertise and support one another.

"I have a deep and strong belief that everybody's disciplinary expertise can be valuable to other people," he said. "We just need to create spaces to share it."

Read more from the Office of the Provost

MU College of Education and Human Development

Facebook Share Twitter Tweet