Amber Williams - Division of Student Success

Vice Provost Amber Williams

Nationally–Recognized Expert in Innovative, Personalized and Strengths-Based Approaches to Student Success in Higher Education

A visionary and transformational higher education leader, Dr. Amber Williams serves as the first Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. During her five-plus years at UT, Dr. Williams has propelled the university’s reputation as the national leader in student success, using an innovative, personalized and strengths-based approach that allows scholars to reach their academic and career goals.

Dr. Williams is known for looking beyond numbers to see students as individuals, keeping them at the center of her work, and creating innovative, data-driven programs and services that allow them to thrive.

During her leadership of UT’s Division of Student Success, retention rates—which measure the percentage of first-time, first-year undergraduate students who continue into their second year—have climbed from 86% to a record-breaking 92%, considerably above the national average of 75%. UT’s six-year graduation rate sits at an all-time high of 74%.

In her five-plus years on Rocky Top, Dr. Williams has launched numerous pathway programs that use data-driven frameworks and structures to customize a scholar’s academic journey. Examples include the Vol First-Year Experience, University Honors, UT Success Academy and the Veterans Impact Program.

Additionally, Dr. Williams led her team to create the Vol Success Teams program which matches every student with three dedicated mentors. Additionally, she envisioned and led the 2025 launch of Vol Edge, the only comprehensive platform of its kind that guides students from the college campus to careers, immersing them in the life skills, experience and confidence they need to succeed.

Such accomplishments, along with others, thrusted UT onto the national student success radar, leading to the university hosting the Student Success 2024 Conference which convened 200 institutions in Knoxville.

Dr. Williams arrived at UT from the University of Nebraska, where she served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management. She is a member of the prestigious Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Institute for Aspiring College and University Presidents and a contributing author to the upcoming book ASCEND to Higher Retention Rates, Vol. 3. She is also a passionate certified CliftonStrengths coach.

Dr. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Kansas; a master’s in leadership education and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln. A nationally recognized expert, she is a sought-after keynote speaker, podcast guest and media interview subject.