Tonjua Williams, Ph.D., became St. Petersburg College’s seventh president on July 3, 2017. A St. Petersburg native, Dr. Williams began her tenure with the college in 1986, rising through the ranks in a variety of academic and administrative roles.
Prior to becoming President, she was Senior Vice President for Student Services and previously served as Provost, Associate Provost, Director of Special Programs, Program Coordinator, Academic Advisor, Recruiter, Senior Accounting Clerk and Adjunct Faculty.
Dr. Williams earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Barry University, a master’s degree in Counselor Education from the University of South Florida, and bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Humanities from Clearwater Christian College.
In 2016, Dr. Williams was awarded the prestigious Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence, making her part of the inaugural class of the Aspen Presidential Fellows. She has also served as Chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents.
Her many leadership roles include service on the boards of the Florida Council of 100, the Florida Holocaust Museum, the Pinellas County Urban League, and the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, among others. Her numerous awards include induction into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame (2022) and recognition as one of the Top 25 Women in Higher Education by Diverse Issues in Higher Education (2018).
