Tampa Bay Business Women Awards 2023: Dr. Tonjua Williams

Dr. Tonjua Williams is St. Petersburg College’s seventh president. SPC employs 3,000 staff, who serve 40,000 students, across eleven learning sites throughout Pinellas County.

Under Williams’ leadership, SPC has streamlined college operations, consolidated resources, improved organizational fiscal health, expanded short-term/rapid credentials and strengthened partnerships with Tampa Bay’s workforce leaders.

The Chronicle of Higher Education named SPC a top producer in the Fulbright Scholarship Program. U.S. News and World Report ranked St. Petersburg College among the top in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and Veterans Services. The College received Best of the Best awards from the Tampa Bay Times for Best Local College and Best Nursing College.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT?

I have had several proud moments, professionally, as I moved through various ranks at St. Petersburg College. To highlight only one is the most difficult. Being selected as the president of St. Petersburg College was an extremely proud moment and to be the first woman, and first minority president, was icing on the cake. As I look over my 35 years of employment at SPC, I must say the proudest moment was my very first position at St. Petersburg College as an accounting clerk, back in 1986-87. This is where the dream began.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST LESSON IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY?

My greatest lesson, along my professional journey, can be summed up in one word – GRIT. We, as women, must be strong enough to follow our gut, speak our mind and handle the downward wind. Practice courage over comfort and don’t just stay in the game…win. You can only do that with strength and resolve – the ability to handle things when they are not so good. With grit, I also learned to stay true to myself. After all, it’s being “me” that got me here. I just need to keep bringing the “best” of me to the table.

 

You May Also Like
Scenes from TBBW’s 2024 Philanthropists of the Year VIP reception (PHOTOS)

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth held a VIP reception for the finalists of the 2024 Philanthropists of the Year at the CI Group, in Tampa. Individuals, companies and foundations will

Read More
On the Scene: AdventHealth’s Starlight Gala 2024 (PHOTOS)

AdventHealth Foundation West Florida held its annual Starlight Gala at the J.W. Marriott Tampa Water Street. During the event, the foundation announced Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, owner and co-chairman of the

Read More
CEO Connect recap with Micha Seal

Micha Seal is the founder of Watermelon Swim, a collection of swim schools, located in the Tampa Bay area.  On track to exceed $13 million in revenue in 2024, and

Read More
On the Scene: The Children’s Dream Fund Rays on the Runway (PHOTOS)

The Children’s Dream Fund hosted more than 400 guests at their signature event, Rays on the Runway, at Power Design, in St. Petersburg. With its first-ever Presenting Sponsor, Cherry Street

Read More
Other Posts
Scenes from TBBW’s CEO Connect with Rob Elder (PHOTOS)(VIDEO)

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth held its September CEO Connect with Rob Elder, president of Elder Automotive Group. BankUnited and Nperspetive were presenting sponsors for the event. The event was hosted

Read More
TBBW announces winners of 2024 Apogee Awards

Tampa Bay Business & Wealth has announced the winners of its 2024 Apogee Awards at Armature Works. Presenting sponsors of the 2024 Apogee Awards include Forvis Mazars, Southstate and Vistage

Read More
Scenes from TBBW’s CEO Connect with the Micha Seal (PHOTOS and VIDEO)  

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth held its August CEO Connect with Micha Seal, chief executive officer and founder of Watermelon Swim, in Tampa. Presenting sponsors for the event were Holland &

Read More
Exclusive: TBBW presents the finalists for the Philanthropists of the Year Awards 2024 (PHOTOS)

Three judges from the Tampa Bay area have selected the finalists for Tampa Bay Business and Wealth’s Philanthropists of the Year Awards 2024. The Philanthropists of the Year Awards honors

Read More