PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (September 2, 2026) – The Whitlowe R. Green College of Education (WRGCOE) is pleased to welcome Dr. Thea-Marie H. Williams as the new Department Head and Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at Prairie View A&M University.
Dr. Williams is a recognized educator, researcher, and executive higher education leader whose career has been dedicated to transforming education through visionary leadership, research, and the preparation of exceptional educators. With more than 25 years of experience spanning P–12 education, higher education, educational policy, and organizational leadership, she is known for building high-performing teams, cultivating collaborative cultures, and advancing innovative solutions that strengthen educator preparation and improve student outcomes.
As Department Head and Professor in WRGCOE, Dr. Williams plans to lead the Department of Curriculum & Instruction with a bold vision to prepare educators and leaders who will shape the future of teaching and learning. She is committed to fostering a culture of academic excellence, research innovation, faculty empowerment, strategic partnerships, and student success while expanding the department’s impact across Texas and the nation.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Williams has served as a classroom teacher, professor, department chair, dean, researcher, and national education leader. Her leadership has consistently focused on transforming organizations, developing people, and creating sustainable systems that improve educational outcomes. She has led state and national initiatives in literacy, teacher quality, educational leadership, and National Board Certification, partnering with school districts, universities, policymakers, and nonprofit organizations to influence educational practice and policy.
Prior to joining Prairie View A&M University, Dr. Williams served as Senior Manager of Policy & Research for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, where she directed research and policy initiatives examining teacher effectiveness, accomplished teaching, educator retention, and equitable access to high-quality instruction. Her work has informed strategic decision-making and contributed to national conversations on educator quality, workforce development, and educational excellence.
A respected scholar and transformational leader, Dr. Williams believes leadership is not measured by position but by the opportunities created for others to grow, lead, and succeed. Her work is grounded in the belief that education has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities, and shape the future. Guided by the philosophy “We Shape What’s Next,” she inspires educators to embrace innovation, pursue excellence, and prepare future generations to lead with purpose and impact.
A fifth-generation educator, Dr. Williams proudly continues her family’s enduring legacy of service through education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Tougaloo College, a Master of Education in Elementary Education and Gifted Education from William Carey University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy Education from The University of Southern Mississippi.