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Portrait of Crystal Williams

Crystal Williams

b. 1970

American college president, educator, poet (born 1970)

University presidentPoet Teacher
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About Crystal Williams

Born 1970. Crystal Williams is an American university president, poet, teacher and academic administrator.

Career Williams was raised in both Detroit, Michigan and Madrid, Spain.

Education Williams began teaching at Reed College as a professor of English, becoming dean for institutional diversity from 2011 to 2013.

In 2021, it was announced that Williams was leaving her position as vice president and associate provost for community and inclusion at Boston University to become Rhode Island School of Design's 18th president. A student with work removed from the show said it "felt like censorship." The premature closure was condemned by the National Coalition Against Censorship, among other community members. Williams has previously threatened students with expulsion for pro-Palestine protest actions.

The previous fall, Williams was profiled in the New York Times, saying of her own creative practice: "Poetry requires a kind of heart space and solitude I don't have."

She received $635,176 in compensation from RISD in 2024.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
University president, poet, teacher, academic administrator
Nationality
Education
New York University, Cornell University
Employers
Rhode Island School of Design, Boston University
Also known as
Crystal Ann Williams

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Crystal Williams's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Crystal Williams?

American college president, educator, poet (born 1970)

When was Crystal Williams born?

Crystal Williams was born on 26 September 1970 in Detroit.

What is Crystal Williams's occupation?

Crystal Williams is a university president, poet, teacher and academic administrator.

What nationality is Crystal Williams?

Crystal Williams is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Crystal Williams

· Wikidata: Q110156446

· DBpedia: Crystal Williams

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Crystal Williams. https://biography.guide/crystal-williams/

MLA: "Crystal Williams." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/crystal-williams/.

Chicago: "Crystal Williams." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/crystal-williams/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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