A Tribute to Falecia Williams
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Thursday, July 9, 2020
By John Scolaro, Professor, Humanities, and Senior Teaching Fellow
Falecia Williams has been the president of Valencia College’s West Campus since 2011. And then, she was also appointed as the president of Valencia College’s Downtown Campus, which opened in August 2019.
Her stellar career at Valencia College began in 1998, which included her function as part of the Division of Student Affairs; a part-time professor of the Department of Student Success; Recruitment and Retention of Ethnically Diverse Students; Dual Enrollment; and Workforce Development.
Based on the recent email she sent to our West Campus and Downtown Campus colleagues on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, she disclosed her selection as the ninth president of Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland. Her last day at Valencia College will be Friday, July 17, 2020.
I, along with many other collegewide colleagues, were deeply saddened by the announcement of her upcoming departure. I wanted her to become the first African American woman president of Valencia College once Sandy Shugart, who has been our collegewide president for over 20 years now, retires.
Her outstanding leadership skills have been apparent to those of us who have worked with her, in diverse ways, over the past two decades. More specifically, her initiatives, related to learning as a “hallmark,” equality for all and community inclusion have been deeply appreciated. Dr. Falecia Williams deserves a standing ovation from all of us at Valencia College. Her legacy will be remembered forever.
Stanton Reed said:
John, thank you for your thoughtful comments.
PMThu, 09 Jul 2020 18:43:24 +0000Thu, 09 Jul 2020 18:43:24 +0000pm20,6:43 pm
Karen Murray said:
I will miss Dr. Williams.
PMThu, 09 Jul 2020 18:45:00 +0000Thu, 09 Jul 2020 18:45:00 +0000pm20,6:45 pm
Kourtney said:
Dr. Williams is a phenomenal leader and outstanding West Campus President. She will greatly be missed. ❤️❤️
PMThu, 09 Jul 2020 19:01:00 +0000Thu, 09 Jul 2020 19:01:00 +0000pm20,7:01 pm
Meg Curtiss said:
Hear! Hear!
PMThu, 09 Jul 2020 22:24:49 +0000Thu, 09 Jul 2020 22:24:49 +0000pm20,10:24 pm
Rebecca Toole said:
Well said, John! Dr. Williams is a remarkable leader and we will miss her terribly.
AMFri, 10 Jul 2020 07:56:47 +0000Fri, 10 Jul 2020 07:56:47 +0000am20,7:56 am
Chris Tersigni said:
Well said, John. You never know, Dr. Williams may yet be the first African American woman president of Valencia once Dr. Shugart retires. We'd love to have her back!
AMFri, 10 Jul 2020 09:34:24 +0000Fri, 10 Jul 2020 09:34:24 +0000am20,9:34 am