Krystal L. Williams

Krystal L. Williams is an Associate Professor of Higher Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, housed within the UW School of Education. She directs the Education Policy and Equity Research Collective (Ed_PERC), focusing on race, public policy, and equity in STEM education, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Her work has been supported by an NSF CAREER Award and multiple accolades, including AERA’s Scholars of Color Early Career Award.

Education:

• PhD in Higher Education/Public Policy (University of Michigan, 2014)
• MS and BS in Mathematical Sciences (Clark Atlanta University, 2003)
• AERA ETS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychometrics (2015)

Research Interests: Dr. Williams investigates systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups in STEM, particularly Black women, and the role of HBCUs in fostering equitable educational environments. Her frameworks, such as the Black Cultural Student STEM Success Model, emphasize culturally informed pedagogy and adaptive strategies rooted in Black educational logics.

Awards & Honors:

• NSF CAREER Award (2020)
• ASHE Excellence in Public Policy Award (2022)
• AERA Minority Dissertation Fellow (2010–2011)

Advising & Grants: Her NSF CAREER project studies Black women’s role strain in computing, while Ed_PERC leads initiatives on HBCU policy advocacy and STEM equity. Collaborations include the UNCF and the American Educational Research Association.

Labs/Teams: Directs Ed_PERC, a research collective exploring anti-Blackness in education and HBCU policy interventions.