Aurelia Williams, DPS
Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs
Executive Director, Cybersecurity Complex
Email: atwilliams@nsu.edu
Tel: 757-823-8579, 757-823-9106(MCAR) Room: RTC 320 D
Biography:
Dr. Aurelia Taylor Williams is a transformational leader who believes in leveraging resources to expand the reach of higher education. Serving Norfolk State University (NSU) for over two decades, she has been an advocate and champion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and utilizes networking to make an impact on multiple campuses. As Senior Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs, Dr. Williams leads, administrates, and oversees efforts related to faculty and staff activities in the division of Academic Affairs. As interim Vice Provost for Academic Administration, Dr. Williams led a team to secure the University’s first Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant. This project offers investment in faculty development to modify curriculum and implement a more cohesive online learning model. Her expertise has led to the implementation of professional development opportunities and programs to strengthen and support effective working relationships within the University Community.
A Professor of Computer Science and the Founding Executive Director of NSU’s Cybersecurity Complex, Dr. Williams passionately seeks new ways to strengthen the learning experience for both undergraduate and graduate students. As the former Computer Science Chair, she provided senior departmental leadership through a period of exponential growth. Since 2009, NSU has been designated NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense Education. Enhancing Cybersecurity at NSU to expand across multidisciplinary departments resulted in recognition both regionally and nationally.
A leader for the HBCU Cybersecurity Workforce Development Consortium, Dr. Williams secured a $25 million award to benefit 13 HBCUs. Due to her dedication, NSU received an HBCU Visionary award given by the US Department of Treasury. To date, Dr. Williams has led efforts to champion the University’s Cybersecurity initiative securing more than $50 million in external funding. She continues to secure high levels of research grants, awards, and contracts from federal, state, and private entities. She has proven herself as a trailblazer in efforts to support underrepresented students persist in the field of Cybersecurity.
Skilled in establishing and expanding collaborative relationships, Dr. Williams interfaces with various national, state, and local agencies to increase faculty and student opportunities for research and innovation. By leveraging her technical background, she is skilled in leading cross-functional and highperforming teams to deliver effective results. At NSU, she chairs several University committees. Externally, she served as the inaugural chair for the Commonwealth Cybersecurity Initiative (CCI) Diversity and Inclusion Committee for two years while serving. as an executive member of the CCI COVA node and a member of the regional advisory board for the 757 Regional Internship Collaborative.
A dedicated scholar and researcher, Dr. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Norfolk State University, a master’s degree in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University and a doctoral degree from Pace University.
An advocate for positively impacting her local community, Dr. Williams is an active member of several service organizations that seek to provide resources and opportunities for the betterment of society. She is a Life-Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated where she serves as the Tidewater Cluster Coordinator, a regional appointment. Additionally, she is President of the Chesapeake-Virginia Beach Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Dr. Williams’ greatest contentment is spending quality time with her family. She enjoys traveling with her husband, Aurthor C. Williams, Jr. and their three sons and daughter, Azad, Atrell, Aaron, and Jhanae.
Research Interests:
• Computer Science Education
• Information Assurance
• Internet and Mobile Forensics
• Computer Security
• Data Communications
• Network Security
Courses Taught:
• CSC101 - Introduction to the Computer Science Profession
• CSC111/ITE-111 – IT Principles
• CSC169 – Introduction to Computer Science
• CSC170/L & 260– Computer Programming I & II with Laboratory
• CSC211/ITE-211 – IT Operating Systems
• CSC313 – Network Administration
• CSC372 – Data Structures
• CSC464/564 – Operating Systems (Undergraduate & Graduate)
• CSC492 – Independent Study – Distributed Web Development
• CSC498/499 – Computer Science Seminar I and II
• Graduate Advanced Topics in Computer Science – Forensics and Android Forensic
Curriculum Vitae
Publications