Brian G. Williams, D.M.

Dr. Williams joined Roger Williams University in 2017, originally as VP for Enrollment Management & Marketing, and has served as Chief of Staff for RWU since 2019. In this capacity, he serves as primary advisor to the President on institutional strategy and planning, and his direct reporting responsibilities include marketing & communications, human resources, and institutional research. A key leader of the President’s Cabinet, Dr. Williams coordinates planning, board relations, institutional effectiveness, and many other “duties as assigned” through the Office of the President. Across campus, he leads the Extended Leadership Team, and serves on the Retention Committee, Diversity Leadership Council, steering committee for a new Campus Center, and the Campus master plan.  

Outside of the University, Dr. Williams serves as a board member for the East Bay Chamber of Commerce, on the Connect Newport Advisory Committee, various Blue Economy regional boards, and was a pivotal leader in COVID testing and response strategies for the campus and at the state level throughout the pandemic. 

Prior to RWU, Brian gained a breadth and depth of experience across 25 years as an enrollment professional at four other universities—most recently, as Vice President for Enrollment & Institutional Analytics at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio (11 years), and prior to that as Dean of Enrollment Services at Providence College (8 years). 

Dr. Williams earned his Doctor of Management degree from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in 2016 as a non-profit fellow in the program. His dissertation focused on the effects of real-time data visualization on organizational decision making. Regardless of his role, Brian leverages strategic perspectives and the use of data analytics across university efforts for recruitment, financial aid, academic planning, and student and employee initiatives. He presents frequently at national conferences on higher education strategic planning, data analytics, and effective decision making.