Education
Ph.D. – English, University of Iowa
M.A. – Political Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
B.A. – Political Science, University of Iowa
Introduction
As Joycelyn Elders Professor and Dean of the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, he provides leadership that advances the College’s teaching, research, and service missions to improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans.
Credentials, Accreditations and Awards
2014 Featured Alumnus, Nebraska Magazine
2013 MHA Guide 100 Great Health Administration Professors and Leaders
2013 Florida International University Top Scholars
2019 Joycelyn Elders Endowed Chair in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
2024 Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Honor Society
Teaching Focus
Dean Williams’ teaching focuses on research design, scientific writing, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Research Overview
Dean Williams has published more than 200 articles in the areas of behavioral epidemiology, disease prevention, and health promotion in underserved and minority populations for more than 30 years. His works include seminal studies on HIV transmission in injection drug users, the dynamics of disease transmission in social networks, and the prevention of blood-borne and sexually transmitted pathogens.
Recent Books or Publications
- Amick III BC, Allen JL, Brown CC, Goudie A, Tilford M, Williams M. Racial Differences in COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Arkansas. PLoS One. 2023 May 18; 18(5):e0268876. PMCID: PMC10194941.
- Allen JL, Amick BC, Williams ML, Kennedy JL, Boehme KW, Forrest JC, Primack B, Sides EA, Nembhard WN, Garner SF, Snowden J, James LP, Olgaard E, Gandy J. A Longitudinal Study of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Seroprevalence and Mitigation Behaviors Among College Students at an Arkansas University. J Am Coll Health. 2023 Jun 8; 1-10. PMID: 37289962.
- Willis DE, Andersen JA, Montgomery BEE, Selig JP, Shah SK, Zaller N, Bryant-Moore K, Scott AJ, Williams M, McElfish PA. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Experiences of Discrimination Among Black Adults. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2023 Jun; 10(3):1025-1034. PMCID: PMC8989097.
- Willis DE, Selig JP, Andersen JA, Hall S, Hallgren E, Williams M, Bryant-Moore K, McElfish PA. Hesitant but Vaccinated: Assessing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among the Recently Vaccinated. J Behav Med. 2023 Apr; 46(1-2):15-24. PMCID: PMC8760868.
- Sherman AC, Williams ML, Amick BC, Hudson TJ, Messias EL, Simonton-Atchley S. Adjustment to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations with Global and Situational Meaning. Curr Psychol. 2022 Jul; 6:1-16. PMCID: PMC9256532.