Professor Elizabeth Williams has recently assumed the role of Chair of the Department of Communication Studies at Colorado State University. Dr. Williams brings a wealth of knowledge and academic excellence to her leadership of the department.

Dr. Williams, a first-generation college student, began her academic journey at Alma College, a small liberal arts institution in Michigan, where mentors encouraged her to pursue graduate studies. She earned both her master’s and doctoral degrees from Purdue University, specializing in organizational and health communication.

At Purdue, Dr. Williams developed a keen interest in the practices and processes organizations implement to safeguard the health and well-being of their members and community. This focus has shaped her research and teaching throughout her career, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world organizational practices.

Since joining Colorado State University in 2011, Dr. Williams has significantly contributed to the field and department. Her work bridges organizational and health communication, as evidenced by her co-edited volume “Organizations, Communication, and Health.” She has also conducted research with high reliability organizations (i.e., those organizations in which errors can be catastrophic). However, Dr. Williams considers her greatest impact to be mentoring students and supporting the next generation of communication professionals and scholars.

Dr. Williams’ recent appointment as chair marks an exciting new phase in her distinguished career. With her profound knowledge and poised leadership, she is set to elevate the department’s academic excellence and research initiatives. Building on the growth fostered by Dr. Greg Dickinson, Dr. Williams aims develop the department through innovation and collaboration.

Learn more about Dr. Williams in our Q&A highlighting her experiences and aspirations for the department.

Congratulations on your recent appointment to chair! What aspects are you most excited about?

I’m most excited about being able to learn more about the impactful contributions our faculty, staff, and students are making through the different projects and activities that they are involved in and then finding ways to elevate that work. I love finding ways to connect people with one another and with resources.

Can you describe your primary motivations for taking on this position?

I was motivated to apply for this position because I believe our department has so much to offer our students and community. The opportunity to lead a department that has given me so much, and to help it flourish, was an exciting prospect. Having recently been promoted to full professor, it seemed like the time was right for me to apply the knowledge and skills that I have cultivated through my various roles in the department to this leadership position.

What is your leadership philosophy, and how do you plan to apply it to guide the department’s future?

I consider myself a servant leader who prioritizes the greater good, values relationships, and strives to connect others with resources. I see my role as helping to frame the issues and opportunities our department faces, and facilitating conversations among departmental members about how to best address these challenges or capitalize on opportunities. And then, my responsibility is to work alongside my colleagues to implement our shared vision.

How do you envision the future of communication studies, and what steps will you take to ensure the department stays at the forefront of the field while preparing students for successful careers?

Our future is so bright! I see us continuing to be leaders in research, teaching, and service. We have a strong set of practices and processes already in place and I look forward to building on those to ensure our continued success and sustainability. In the coming year, I hope to engage with all our constituencies—students, alumni, staff, faculty, and community partners—to learn about their hopes for the department and bring those together into a unifying vision.

What do you consider the department’s key strengths, and how do you plan to build on them? Are there any specific initiatives or changes you intend to implement?

We have done so much good work together over the last ten years. We started a PhD program and developed some key undergraduate programs (e.g., online major, a revised capstone, new-to-the-major seminar, study abroad programs) to better serve students. We recruited faculty members who are at the top of their fields, and we rethought our administrative structures and hired the most amazing staff to support our multiple programs. We have elevated engaged research and teaching and have found ways to better support our research endeavors. We have two phenomenal programs—the Center for Public Deliberation and ACT Human Rights Film Festival—which are making an impact in the local community and beyond.

Moving forward, I want to sustain our progress while ensuring its longevity. I will invite my colleagues to think deeply about our undergraduate curriculum and make sure we are communicating the value of a Communication Studies degree to both prospective and current students. Despite high graduation rates and job market success, we’ve seen a decline in majors over the last decade. Through the next year, I will work with the undergraduate committee and faculty to thoroughly evaluate our curriculum, and see what changes are necessary. Through this process, I hope to engage alumni and learn from our students.

How has your experience in this department prepared you for your new role, and are there any ongoing research projects or collaborations you’re particularly excited about?

Looking back on my time at CSU, there are so many experiences that have prepared me to be chair. From my early days as an assistant professor, I served as a search committee chair, led an ad hoc committee to revise our capstone course, and even advised undergraduate students before the Academic Success Coordinator program was adopted by the university.

I then moved into more formal leadership positions, serving as the department’s first Director of Undergraduate Studies for five years and then Director of Graduate Studies. Through those roles and other college and university service assignments, I have developed a better understanding of the complex university system and further honed my leadership skills. But perhaps more importantly, I have developed a network of colleagues around the university from whom I continue to learn.

My collaboration with student affairs colleagues exemplifies this approach. My work with this group began during COVID with the Social Norming Committee developing ways to promote pro-social behaviors to prevent virus spread—a crucial part of CSU’s strategy to remain open. This partnership evolved into the “Today’s College Student” project, examining undergraduate experiences post-pandemic. Through focus groups and data analysis, we’re developing recommendations to better support our students. I’m eager to apply these insights to our department’s student support initiatives. Furthermore, it is connections like this which will help me see the department’s role in and better articulate the value we offer to the larger university.

Charting a Collaborative Course for Communication Studies

Dr. Elizabeth Williams brings a wealth of experience and a vision to her new role as chair. Her commitment to student success, research excellence, and community engagement promises to build upon the department’s strengths. As she leads the Department of Communication Studies into its next chapter, Dr. Williams’ collaborative approach and focus on innovation ensures the department will continue to thrive, preparing students for successful careers while advancing the field.