Williams will be the college’s first woman and first African-American president.

PINELLAS COUNTY – The St. Petersburg College board of trustees voted unanimously this morning (May 31) to select Tonjua Williams as the next president.

Williams is currently the senior vice president of student services at SPC, a capacity she has served in since 2013. Williams, SPC’s seventh president, will be the college’s first woman and first African-American to serve as president. She will replace Bill Law, who is retiring July 1.

Trustee Deveron Gibbons said it was clear there was an obvious choice for SPC’s next president.

“I came with two names today, but I’m only submitting one: Dr. Tonjua Williams,” Gibbons said.

Trustees all agreed Williams was impressive during her interview.

“She didn’t have to sell me on SPC. I was more excited to be part of this institution after hearing her speak about it than I have been in maybe the past few years,” trustee Nathan Stonecipher said. “She is passionate about St. Petersburg College. That bleeds out of her.”

Williams, a 30-year veteran of SPC, previously served as vice president of academic and student affairs and provost of the Tarpon Springs campus.

Williams earned her doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Barry University, a master’s degree in Counselor Education from University of South Florida, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Humanities from Clearwater Christian College.

From 51 initial applicants, the college’s Search and Screen Committee voted in March to advance nine semi-finalists in the selection process. In April, the committee reconvened and voted to advance five finalists to the board for consideration.

“The Board members also want to express our gratitude to all of the highly qualified finalists for the time and dedication they have shown throughout this rigorous process,” said Bill Foster, chair of the SPC board of trustees.

For more information about Williams, go to blog.spcollege.edu.

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