Dr. Aurelia T. Williams (B.S. ’94)
Dr. Aurelia T. Williams is a transformative higher education executive whose visionary leadership, strategic discipline, and unwavering commitment to equity in STEM have left a profound and enduring mark on Norfolk State University and the national technology landscape. A proud NSU alumna, she began her academic journey with a B.S. in Computer Science before earning an M.S. from Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate from Pace University—credentials that anchor her as a scholar-practitioner with deep expertise in computing, cybersecurity, and organizational leadership.
Over the course of her distinguished career at Norfolk State University, Dr. Williams has served in a succession of high-impact leadership roles, including Chair of the Department of Computer Science, Founding Executive Director of the NSU Cybersecurity Complex, Vice Provost for Academic Administration, Senior Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs, and Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Her leadership has strengthened NSU’s academic enterprise at every level—advancing operational excellence, amplifying the academic mission, and elevating opportunities for faculty, students, and the broader STEM community.
Under Dr. Williams’ direction, NSU achieved national distinction as a National Security Agency/Department of Homeland Security Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, cementing the university’s reputation as a leader in cybersecurity training, workforce preparation, and applied research. Her strategic vision and ability to cultivate high-value federal, industry, and philanthropic partnerships have generated more than $50 million in external funding, transforming academic programs, expanding research capacity, and strengthening student success in STEM disciplines.
Among her most celebrated accomplishments is her leadership of the HBCU Cybersecurity Workforce Development Consortium, a $25 million initiative that strengthened cybersecurity education and workforce pipelines across 13 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This groundbreaking work earned NSU the prestigious HBCU Visionary Award from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, recognizing the institution’s national impact on cybersecurity education and workforce development.
A former DNIMAS scholar, Dr. Williams understands the power of access and opportunity. She has dedicated her career to expanding pathways for women and underrepresented minorities in STEM through mentorship, advocacy, research engagement, and culturally responsive academic programming. Her influence is reflected in the students she has empowered, the faculty she has supported, and the national networks she has strengthened in service to the STEM ecosystem.
Through her leadership, innovation, and steadfast commitment to excellence, Dr. Aurelia T. Williams has elevated Norfolk State University’s academic profile and advanced the mission of diversity in STEM across the nation. Her legacy as a trailblazer, strategist, and champion for opportunity will continue to inspire Spartans and emerging innovators for generations to come.