Background

Prior to joining UNC School of Education in 2023, Williams served as an Associate Professor at the University of Virginia. He also held the position of Faculty Research Director for the UVA Equity Center’s Starr Hill Pathways (SHP), a year-round college and career readiness program for Charlottesville youth in grades 7-12 from historically marginalized communities. Before that, Williams served as an Assistant Professor at George Mason University. He has over ten years of practical experience counseling children and adolescents in school and mental health settings.

Research

Joseph Williams’ primary research examines the protective factors and underlying processes that contribute to academic resilience among K-12 students of color and those from low-income families. Additionally, he researches multicultural and social justice training practices for helping professionals, as well as protective behavioral strategies used by K-12 students of Color to cope with racism-related stress. 

In addition to publishing scholarly articles and book chapters in these areas, he consults with school districts, communities, associations, and corporations to improve diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts and engage people in productive dialogue and action.

Education

• Ph.D. 2011 – The University of Iowa, Counselor Education and Supervision
• M.S. 2007 – Minnesota State University, Counseling
• B.S. 2005 – Minnesota State University, Psychology
• A.S. 2003 – Colby Community College, Computer Science
• A.A. 2003 – Colby Community College, General Studies

Selected Publications

Conway-Turner, J., Williams, J., & Winsler, A. (2023). Does Diversity Matter? School Racial Composition and Academic Achievement of Students in a Diverse Sample. Urban Education, 58(6), 1085–1117.

Letiecq, B. L., Williams, J. M., Vesely, C. K., & Lee, J. S. (2023). Publicly-Housed Black Mothers' Experiences of Structural Racism in their Everyday Lives. Journal of Marriage and Family. Available online first. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.12260

Washington, A. R., *Byrd, J. A., & Williams, J. M. (2023). Using an Anti-Racist Lens in School Counseling Research. Professional School Counseling, 27 (1a).   

Washington A. R., Williams, J. M., & *Byrd, J. A. (2023). Exposing Blindspots and the Hidden Curriculum within Dominant Counselor Supervision Models. Counselor Education and Supervision. Available online first. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.12260

Williams, J. M. & *Chae, N. (in press). Getting In: How High-Achieving, Low-Income Black Students Defy the Odds and Enroll in Highly Selective Colleges. Journal of Negro Education