TUSKEGEE, Ala. (November 18, 2009) – Tuskegee University President, Dr. Benjamin F. Payton, announced today that University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Luther S. Williams expressed the desire to return to his original role as Dean of Graduate Studies and Director of the Integrative Biosciences Ph.D. Program. Payton appointed Dr. John A. Williams Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Vice President for Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning, effective Dec. 1, 2009.

"I have honored Dr. (Luther) Williams' request with deep appreciation for the outstanding job he has done as Chief Academic Officer for the University, as well as other assignments made to him that he also has carried out with extraordinary ability and commitment," Payton said.

Dr. Luther S. Williams will also continue to assist with the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care.

As Interim Provost, Dr. John A. Williams will serve as a member of the President's Cabinet and the University's Executive Council. He will have authority and responsibility for advancing the academic quality and stature of the University. Under the direction of the President, and in conjunction with the deans, this officer allocates budgets, faculty positions, and instructional resources for all academic areas, including research, outreach, undergraduate, graduate and summer school programs.

Williams' anchor and permanent position, Vice President for Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning, will hold him responsible for identifying institutional effectiveness issues with the academic departments, and administrative and support services offices relative to the University's mission, purpose and strategic plan. His additional core duties will include efficient management of the office programs and effective supervision of the staff, integrating data gathering and analysis of support planning and decision-making across all colleges, administrative and supportive services of the University, and the maintenance of current knowledge of, and resources applicable to, contemporary institutional planning and evaluation methods.

Williams brings to the University broad and technical experience in college administration, strategic planning, academic program development, assessment and review. Currently serving as Director of Institutional Effectiveness at Paine College (Augusta, Ga.), Williams has served as Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (Cheyney, Penn.), as Assistant Dean of Education and Director of Teacher Education at Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tenn.). He also served as Assistant Director of Institutional Research and Planning, and Assistant to the Director for Title III Administration at Xavier University of Louisiana (New Orleans, La.) and as Research Associate for the Louisiana Board of Regents. A graduate of Southern University (Baton Rouge, La.), Williams received the Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kan.).

 Williams comes to the Tuskegee University community with his wife, Seleria.