About The President
Brian G. Williams, D.M. was placed as RWU’s 12th Interim President of Roger Williams University on June 1, 2026.
Biography of Interim President Williams
Brian G. Williams, D.M., Interim President, Roger Williams University
Brian G. Williams, D.M. joined Roger Williams University in 2017 as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing and has served as Chief of Staff since 2019. In his role as Chief of Staff, he acted as a primary advisor to the president on institutional strategy and planning, overseeing key university functions including marketing and communications, human resources, institutional research, board relations, and institutional effectiveness. He has also played a leadership role in the university’s Strategic Action Plan, campus master planning, diversity and inclusion, and student success initiatives.
Before joining RWU, Williams held senior enrollment and analytics leadership positions at John Carroll University and Providence College, developing expertise in strategic enrollment management, institutional analytics, and organizational leadership. Across his career, he has focused on leveraging data analytics and collaborative planning to strengthen academic institutions and improve student outcomes.
Williams earned a Doctor of Management degree from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, where his dissertation examined the effects of real-time data visualization on organizational decision-making.
Active in civic and professional organizations throughout Rhode Island and southeastern New England, Williams serves on the board of the East Bay Chamber of Commerce and has contributed to regional initiatives related to the Blue Economy, higher-education collaboration, and economic development. He also led capacities supporting institutional and statewide COVID-19 response planning during the pandemic.
As Interim President, Williams is committed to listening to and engaging with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners as Roger Williams University continues advancing its mission of academic excellence, experiential learning, civic engagement, and innovation. He is focused on strengthening the university’s culture of collaboration, supporting student success, and positioning RWU for continued growth and impact in Rhode Island and beyond.
