Celebrating Dr. Amber Williams and a Big Win for Our Students
Six years ago, when I returned to UT as chancellor one of our top priorities was to improve our student retention and I knew just the person to get us there: Dr. Amber Williams. A recent profile of Dr. Williams in the Knoxville News Sentinel, highlights what I’ve long known: she is a dynamic and talented leader and we’re lucky to call her a Vol.
Since she joined UT in 2020 as vice provost for student success, Amber has brought energy, heart, and a bold vision for what student success should look like. Under her leadership, we hit a record-breaking 92% first-year retention rate — well above the national average. That number isn’t just a statistic; it represents thousands of students staying on track, finding community, and thriving at UT.
She has led the charge on programs like the Vol Success Teams, where every student is matched with three dedicated mentors, a simple but powerful idea to surround students with the right support so they don’t just survive college, they flourish.
What I admire most is that she leads with purpose and heart. She listens, she innovates, and she puts students at the center of everything. Her impact goes far beyond Knoxville as other universities are looking to UT as a model for what’s possible.
I hope you will take a few moments to read Keenan Thomas’ story in the Knoxville News Sentinel about Dr. Williams and the impact of her work here.