Former Worcester chief diversity officer hired at Mount Wachusett Community College

Photo/Grant Welker Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner

Write a Comment

By Katherine Hamilton

Stephanie Williams, who is resigning as Worcester’s chief diversity officer, has been hired by Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner to be the school’s first-ever chief diversity executive.

The school announced her hiring in a press release Monday afternoon, about two weeks after the City of Worcester announced Williams would leave her role.

Her resignation earlier in March stirred controversy from advocacy groups about high turnover in the CDO position. City Council is currently considering an external review of diversity issues in City Hall, aiming specifically to understand why three CDOs have left since the role was created in 2016.

Williams’ resignation was announced March 4, and her last day in City Hall was Friday.

Prior to her role with the City, which began in November 2020, Williams held positions at the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, Anna Maria College in Paxton, and Becker College in Worcester. She holds degrees from Anna Maria, Becker, and Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester.

“I am looking forward to bringing my experience both in and outside of higher education to MWCC,” Williams said in a statement. “I’ll be working collaboratively with colleagues and students at the college to build upon the work their teams have done and develop something that will be as successful and equitable for everyone.”

In her new role, Williams will report directly to MWCC President Vander Hooven and serve as a member of the president’s leadership team. The role of the chief diversity executive will be to provide vision, leadership, and oversight to the college’s equity initiatives, as well as help integrate equity across all aspects of the college, according to the release.