Sonya Williams

Sonya Y. Williams is a native of Toledo, Ohio. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Kent State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Rhetorical Speaking and Communications in 1989 then moved to Akron where she began her career, meeting her husband and starting a family.

In her current role as the Executive Director, University Outreach and Engagement, Office of the Provost at Kent State University, Sonya provides leadership, coordination and supervision for departmental-level projects and initiatives to support university outreach and engagement for the Kent State campus-system and surrounding community, including oversight of a host of pipeline initiatives: Akron Public Schools (APS) University Liaison for College and Career Academies, TRIO Upward Bound, Kent State Prison Reentry Program and Fostering Pathways for a Brighter Future. Additionally, Sonya leads all the communications, human resources, and fiscal management for the unit.

Sonya’s previous role was Executive Director for the division of People Culture and Belonging as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. She led the division's human resources, fiscal/budget creation & monitoring, communications, the division training lab and the TRIO Upward Bound programs.  A significant portion of Sonya’s job also included directly assisting the Vice President with high level projects and serving on several university committees.

Prior to coming to KSU, she worked in both the corporate and non-profit sectors in top-tier management positions.

Sonya is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Sonya is most passionate about the education and success of all students, no matter their background, her motto is “If I made it, so can you!”

Along with her bachelor’s degree, Sonya holds a Master’s Degree in Curricular and Instructional Studies with an English concentration from the University of Akron.

Sonya says “My advice to students, no matter the category, is to make certain that they are confident in their own abilities. College or work life is not for the faint of heart! Confidence in your abilities will propel you even when there is fear. Confidence will eliminate nay-sayers!”

She has been married to the love of her life Kevin for 33 years, the proud mother of Kevin (KJ) 30, and Ms. Kendall, 25 and Nonny to grandson Kevin III (KTre) (9)