Tonjua Williams: President of St. Petersburg College

Tonjua Williams became St. Petersburg College’s seventh president on July 3, 2017. A St. Petersburg native, Williams began her tenure with the college in 1986, rising through a variety of academic and administrative roles to become the first woman and first African American to hold the position at the school.

Previously, she was senior vice president for student services, from 2013-17. She has served in nearly every area of the college: provost, associate provost, director of special programs, program coordinator, academic advisor, recruiter, senior accounting clerk and adjunct faculty.

In 2016, Williams was awarded the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence, making her part of the inaugural class of the Aspen Presidential Fellows. She is a graduate of Leadership Tampa Bay, Leadership St. Pete, the Chancellor’s Leadership Program and the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Florida.

 

College alma mater?
Clearwater Christian College, University of South Florida and Barry University

Last book you read?
Measure What Matters
by John Doerr

Last place you vacationed?
Vancouver and Whistler, Canada

PC or Mac?
Most Definitely PC

Guilty-pleasure food?
Chocolate

Where will we find you on the weekend?
Somewhere with my family

Biggest fear?
The growth of generational poverty

Proudest moment?
My wedding day – June 2, 1990

Dream dinner companion?
Pauletta Washington (actress)

10 Any pets?
No

11 Who did you last text?
Derrick Williams

12 What is your cellphone wallpaper image?
Tulips

13 What do you listen to in the car?
The Groove XM, an old-school rhythm and blues channel on SirusXM

14 What is your go-to drink order?
Iced Tea or Moscato

15 Favorite candy?  

Almond Joy

16 Do you suffer from Primesia*?
Nope

17 Pool or beach?
Definitely pool

18 Charities you support?
St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Admiral Farragut, Habitat for Humanity, Lakewood Jr. Spartans

19 Favorite childhood memory?
Sunday dinners at Nana’s House

20 Words of advice?
Make your next investment, your best investment. The success of our world relies on our investing in each other to build a community that is strong and thriving. This investment is your time, your talent and your treasure (resources). Investing in education will help everyone gain a skill to  earn a high wage paying job that results in economic mobility. After all, we are one tragedy away from needing others to invest in us.

 

*Primesia is the act of ordering from Amazon and forgetting about it.

You May Also Like
After 15 years, Achieva Credit Union’s top leader retires—but not without a legacy of service

Gary Regoli reflects on his leadership journey, the evolution of the credit union industry and what comes next as he transitions into retirement.

Read More
A Q&A with Dr. Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg 

Class is in session: Meet the new president of the University of Tampa

Read More
Elodie Dorso is leading Evara Health into the future of health care

For 25 years, Elodie Dorso has been engulfed in the mission of Evara Health.  Dorso, a Pinellas County-born and bred native, has been leading the organization for the past six

Read More
Nelson Castellano reflects on his 30-year career with Trenam

Nelson T. Castellano is a familiar face at Trenam Law. Now a managing shareholder, he joined the Tampa Bay firm more than 30 years ago. He has spent his entire

Read More
Other Posts
Will Weatherford and Mike Griffin re-elected to lead USF Board of Trustees

The University of South Florida Board of Trustees re-elected Will Weatherford, as chair, and Mike Griffin, as vice chair, during its June 3 meeting. Both have held their leadership roles

Read More
USF
Tampa CEO dedicates foster home in honor of adoptive mother

A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay has named one of its five on-campus foster homes the Daisy B. Lay House, honoring the woman who forever changed the life of Fred

Read More
Pat and Charlene Neal fulfill $500,000 pledge to New College of Florida

Nearly half a century after first pledging their support, Pat and Charlene Neal have completed a $500,000 gift to New College of Florida, an investment that fulfills a commitment made

Read More
A legacy in motion: Justin Papadakis on soccer’s power to transform

Sports are not just entertainment or a shared pastime. They have profoundly changed lives and families. Justin Papadakis, deputy chief executive officer and chief real estate officer of the United

Read More