Mike Williams

Mike Williams is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Massachusetts. He holds a PhD in Metamorphic Petrology and Structural Geology from the University of New Mexico, following an M.S. in Structural Control of Ore Deposits from the University of Arizona and a BA in Geology from Amherst College. His career at UMass includes teaching three courses annually, advising graduate and undergraduate researchers, and conducting research in metamorphic petrology, structural geology, tectonics, and geochronology of metamorphic and structural processes. He is also involved in outreach projects like the Trail of Time at the Grand Canyon.

Williams emphasizes time management as a critical challenge in academia, advocating for prioritization and reasonable expectations. He highlights the importance of a broad skill set spanning fieldwork and lab work, along with enthusiasm for research and collaboration, as key qualifications for career competitiveness. He actively supports dual-career couples, drawing from his own experience as a faculty member with a tenured spouse in the same department.