“As a first-generation college student pursuing engineering, I faced challenges that often made me feel isolated. Finding community and support was critical for navigating my journey at GW Engineering. To this day, I believe that sense of connection was essential to my success,” said Tenisha “Ava” Williams, B.S. ‘13, reflecting on her undergraduate experience.
Beginning February 3, Williams will come full circle and rejoin GW Engineering as its Inclusive Excellence inaugural Director, ready to help create an environment where all students, staff, and faculty have access to the support, opportunities, and sense of belonging they need to achieve their full potential. This is based on the belief that everyone brings value to the school’s community and that the school will be stronger if every member is thriving and contributing. This is especially critical in engineering and computing, as diversity of thought and perspective is critical to innovation and to solving society’s most challenging problems.
From her time studying in the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering (EMSE) to her early-career experiences as an engineer at Booz Allen Hamilton, Williams’ personal experience significantly shaped her understanding of belonging and community. She is devoted to leveraging her engineering expertise to empower others and help organizations intentionally create environments where all perspectives are welcomed and valued and everyone can thrive.
In her new position at GW Engineering, Williams will work across the entire school to co-create a thriving, cohesive community. “I’m lending my experience, but this work is in partnership with the entire community,” she said.
Williams’ approach is grounded in her training as a systems engineer. By applying an equity lens to design thinking’s collaborative methodology, she thoughtfully approaches inclusivity from multiple perspectives. Through her work last year as a consultant on the school’s Inclusive Excellence Planning Committee, she gained valuable insight into the needs of the current GW Engineering community. The main takeaway from that experience for her was simple: “Everyone wants to be seen, valued, heard, and supported.”
Erica Wortham, director of GW’s Innovation Center who worked closely with Williams on the planning committee, said, “Ava showed extraordinary passion and sensitivity in her work. She comes to the problem space as an expert listener equipped with a designer’s skill to craft paths forward that are collaborative and realistic. Her systems approach ensures that ‘inclusive excellence’ becomes a reality for our community.”
That experience laid the foundation for Williams’ collaborative 100-day plan, which she calls a “living document” that she continues to refine and iterate upon after each conversation. In her first months, she will focus on building and deepening relationships across the GW Engineering community, developing tools to support and track progress on inclusive excellence initiatives, and addressing critical employee recognition and professional development needs identified by last year’s university-wide Culture & Engagement initiative.
“I’m very excited that Ava is going to become our Inclusive Excellence inaugural Director. I have had the privilege of working with her years ago as my student in Systems Engineering and last year as a member of the school’s Inclusive Excellence Planning Committee. She was a member of the second class of undergraduate systems engineers I taught here at GW!” said Royce Francis, an associate professor in the EMSE Department. “As a student, she cared deeply about the experience of her peers, and now she has brought that full circle. I’m excited for her, and know that our school’s culture and aspirations are in good hands as she helps guide us to becoming the best version of ourselves.”
Drawing from her tenure on GW Engineering’s National Advisory Council (NAC), where she advised on efforts to enhance educational programs and student opportunities, Williams is uniquely positioned to leverage that experience as she leads this initiative. She will build on this foundation by turning high-level goals into community-driven solutions that cultivate a culture of inclusion, belonging, and respect throughout the school.
“As a member of the community who has worn various hats along the continuum, I’m a member but also a facilitator to help our community develop the solutions it needs to thrive,” Williams stated.
Chair of the NAC board, Barbara Fleming, has also had the opportunity to work alongside Williams. “It has been a pleasure to work with Ava for the last few years. She has been a strong contributor to the Dean’s National Advisory Council, particularly on the Student Success Committee. As a former student at GW, she provided unique insights into the needs of students and creative ideas on engaging with the students to help prepare them for transitioning into the workforce,” Fleming said.
Williams’ commitment to excellence extends beyond GW Engineering, shaping the broader university and the engineering and computing fields. She believes that advancing engineering requires a collective effort, where faculty, staff, and students each play a role in fostering an environment that drives innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact. By ensuring that everyone has the support, tools, and opportunities to contribute their expertise, Williams is dedicated to strengthening the field and the communities it serves.
“The responsibility we share is significant,” said Williams. “Each of us—faculty, staff, and students—has a part in shaping the future of engineering, ensuring that our work is not only technically excellent but also responsive to the world’s evolving challenges.”
While she acknowledges the significant changes since her undergraduate days, Williams understands that fostering inclusion is an ongoing journey driven by community engagement and collaboration. Under her leadership, the Inclusive Excellence initiative at GW Engineering is poised to set a new standard for promoting meaningful change within engineering education. By embedding this mission into every aspect of the school’s culture, this effort will ensure that everyone can shape their future through the opportunities available at GW Engineering.
“I’m very excited to welcome Ava into this inaugural role. As an alumna who already knows and understands GW Engineering, she will be able to hit the ground running in her efforts to ensure that every member of our community has a strong sense of belonging and an equitable opportunity to thrive and achieve their full potential in our school. From creating professional development opportunities to leading programs that build community to promoting respectful discourse on complex issues, Ava will be supporting GW Engineering’s most valuable resource: our people,” said GW Engineering Dean John Lach.