Dr. Michael Steven Williams is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis in the College of Education at the University of Missouri. His research program broadly focuses on inclusion, diversity, and equity, the social-psychological development of students, and institutional excellence in American postsecondary education. Specifically, he centers his inquiry on two aspects of higher education: (a) interpersonal relationships, particularly socialization, mentoring, and belonging for students, administrators, and faculty, and (b) the institution, with a focus on organizational improvement and accountability through multi-pronged assessment and evaluation.

Before joining the Mizzou faculty in 2017, he served as an Assistant Professor of public and international affairs at Baruch College, City University of New York. He has also served as a student affairs educator in a number of different roles, including residence hall director, living learning community assistant director, and admissions assistant. At Mizzou Ed, he teaches honors and graduate courses related to higher education.

Williams’ scholarship has been featured in the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, the Journal of African American Studies, and the Journal of College Student Retention, among other publications. He is on the editorial board for several journals including the College Student Affairs Journal and the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, and is a member of the Association for the Study of Higher Education and other professional organizations. Williams is committed to translating his research to inform policies and practices that promote social justice and student success in higher education.

Areas of Expertise

• Social Justice in Higher Education
• Student Engagement
• University Belonging
• Mentoring and Socialization