Portland State University has appointed Robert Williams as its next Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Williams is an academic administrator who previously served as dean at California State University, East Bay.
PSU President Ann Cudd said, “Dr. Williams has deep experience pursuing excellence even in the midst of challenges and focusing energy on ensuring that students get the skills and opportunities they need for a brighter future.”
Williams was named dean of Cal State East Bay’s College of Education and Allied Studies in 2021. He began his academic career at San Francisco State University, where he was a Professor of Counseling before becoming Associate Dean of the Graduate College of Education.
During his time at Cal State East Bay, Williams worked to expand access to higher education and strengthen university operations. He joined the institution during the COVID-19 pandemic and focused on building a grant-winning infrastructure that resulted in a 65% increase in grant awards. Graduation rates increased by 19 percentage points under his leadership, with particular improvements for low-income and first-generation students.
“My focus has always been on building systems that work for students,” Williams said. “When institutions remove unnecessary barriers and align their efforts, students — especially first-generation and low-income students — can see a much clearer path to opportunity.”
Williams is also a licensed clinical psychologist and served as a visiting Fulbright Scholar from August 2001 to 2002 at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados. He grew up in St. Louis, earned his bachelor’s degree from Howard University, and completed his doctorate at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
He will succeed Shelly Chabon, who became interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs in 2023 after serving as Vice Provost for Academic Personnel.
“Provost Chabon has been a steady leader for a crucial period in Portland State’s history and I am grateful for her deft handling of our academic operations,” Cudd said.
Williams will begin his new role at PSU on July 1 after relocating to Portland.