Relationships is the most important word in the English lexicon. In the midst of code switching, imposter syndrome, and rampant sexism in colleges of engineering how can authentic relationships between historically excluded students, faculty, and staff be built? During this discussion we will consider best practices that we all must engage in since we are all responsible for building community.

The IOE Community Dialog Series is a series of facilitated discussions between members of the IOE community that surround a speaker and topic. The intent is to hear and engage with diverse viewpoints, ideas, and experiences to understand differing perspectives or challenges some of our colleagues or students face while acknowledging the explicit and hidden structures that influence our community; especially as it pertains to the work we do.

Biography

Damon P. Williams serves as the inaugural associate dean for inclusive excellence and chief diversity officer, advancing the College’s diversity and inclusion initiatives and supporting a climate of equity and belonging across our community. Williams is a member of the academic faculty in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE), where he is a senior lecturer and director of ISyE’s Center for Academics, Success, and Equity, which he founded in 2020. He also speaks nationally on higher education and diversity in academia.

Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2002 and then a master’s and Ph.D. in industrial and operations engineering from the University of Michigan. He returned to Georgia Tech as a postdoctoral fellow in the Center for Teaching and Learning and a part-time lecturer in ISyE in 2010. He turned his attention to teaching and advising full-time in 2014.

Williams also earned a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, and serves as senior pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church in southwest Atlanta.