Ryan O. Williams, Ph.D., has joined University College as associate dean of academic affairs. Williams will serve as chief academic officer providing leadership for and coordination of the college’s academic mission. He will be responsible for researching, developing and launching new market-sensitive undergraduate and graduate programs. He also has been appointed as an associate teaching professor in political science at the Maxwell School. Williams has worked at Syracuse University since 2002.
Williams began his career at the University as the assistant director of SU Abroad before becoming associate director of graduate studies in Maxwell’s International Relations Program. In 2009, Williams accepted a leadership position for the Maxwell School in Washington, D.C., serving as the assistant dean for Washington Programs. In this role, Williams led 200 students, 24 faculty and four staff members at the off-campus academic center. He reviewed and coordinated all aspects of the curriculum for graduate and undergraduate programs focused on international relations and public policy. Williams also managed and developed Maxwell partnerships with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and proposed and directed the Maxwell-CSIS Washington-based executive master’s program in international relations.
“Ryan brings to University College a broad knowledge of the University’s academic policies and protocols, a depth of experience designing innovative curricula, and a record of leadership and success building and implementing academic programs,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of University College. “With Ryan on our team, we are better positioned to execute the next phase of our institutional strategy to dramatically expand the University’s online programs portfolio.”
Williams earned a bachelor’s degree from Nazareth College of Rochester, a master’s degree in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, an M.B.A. from the Institut Supérierur Des Affaires, Hec School of Management in France, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the Maxwell School.