Dr. Brittani Williams
Director of Advocacy Policy & Research
Dr. Brittani Williams is a highly skilled policy leader who specializes in higher education policy. As the Director of Advocacy, Policy & Research, she brings a wealth of experience in on-the-ground support for students, researching, analyzing, and communicating complex policy issues related to college affordability, student support, and degree attainment.
Before joining Generation Hope, Dr. Brittani worked as a senior policy analyst for The Education Trust’s national office and, before then, as a student support outreach coordinator for the Louisiana Board of Regents, where she helped students navigate the state’s complex landscape of higher education. She also served as an Education Program Consultant for the Louisiana Department of Education, where she served in the Office of Career and College Readiness to promote postsecondary and workforce success for all students. Dr. Brittani‘s experience has given her a unique perspective on the challenges facing students, post-secondary leaders, and policymakers alike.
Dr. Brittani is a Board Member and Advisor for the Data-to-Action Campaign for Parenting Students. This is a campaign and leadership role hosted by the Urban Institute. She has been a vocal advocate for, and research lead on our student parent work, bringing her own lived experience and bridging policy and practical application to ensure parent students can access college and have the support necessary to succeed therein.
She served on the editorial board and social media communications team for the Journal of Critical Scholarship on Higher Education and Student Affairs hosted by the University of Loyola, Chicago.
She is also an inaugural graduate fellow alum for Howard University's Center for HBCU Research Leadership and Policy, showcasing her dedication and commitment to advancing educational opportunities for historically marginalized populations.
A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Brittani holds a master’s degree in higher education administration from Louisiana State University and A&M College and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She earned her Ph.D. in Education Leadership Policy from Texas Tech University.
Quote:
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” — Maya Angelou
Why I chose this quote:
I chose this quote because it captures the essence of the parenting student experience, my experience as a Black woman and parenting student for 3 postsecondary degrees – facing challenges, enduring defeats, and ultimately discovering resilience and strength within ourselves. It inspires me to view obstacles as opportunities for growth and to persevere in the face of adversity.