Kim Williams

Director of Rutgers Future Scholars

Phone: 848-445-0540

Email: kgw@futurescholars.rutgers.edu

Location: 
Rutgers Future Scholars
502 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and direction of the Rutgers Futures Scholars (RFS), a university-wide program on New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden Rutgers campuses representing 5 main school districts (Newark New Brunswick, Piscataway, Camden, and Rahway) serving promising first-generation to college and low-income, youth in middle and high school.
• Collaborates with program partners to identify and recruit program participants state-wide. Researches and develops innovative approaches to student recruitment, retention and academic support.
• Develops communications, marketing, and recruitment plans. Writes and presents yearly reports, statistical analysis, and research articles for publication of program's development state and nationwide.
• Oversees and manages an operating budget of 3.5 million, in addition to endowments and gifts. Leads the fundraising effort of the organization working with the Rutgers Foundation. Leads grant writing, assures a presence in Rutgers University annual campaign, fundraising public relations and advertising, take initiative to build relationships with potential funders including individual community and corporate donors.
• Designs and strategically plan a blueprint of the RFS model to be replicated and expanded to peer-institutions across the state, country and globally.

Biography

Kim Williams is a dynamic administrator and national leader who serves as Director of The Rutgers Future Scholars (RFS) Program, leads a university-wide team, and has revolutionized the pre-college pathway for over 3,000 New Jersey students. In her role, not only does she work collaboratively with leadership on each Rutgers campus, but she also builds relations with five key school districts throughout NJ, providing college access and empowering underrepresented youth by providing hope and opportunity to attain a higher education. 

Kim has provided guidance for other universities to begin pre-college, college readiness and access programs designed using the RFS model, namely, the University of Michigan, James Madison University, the University of Toronto and most recently, Louisiana State University. She is a consummate collaborator, sitting on various committees, including the Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement – Educational Equity Council and the Office of the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs – Student Success Committee, to name a few. She understands the value of building partnerships within the university and surrounding communities and stewarding funding support to make a positive difference for Rutgers and changing outcomes for many young people. 

She has served the Rutgers community for over two decades, starting her tenure as an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Counselor, then Assistant Director of Parking and Transportation Services. A proud Rutgers alum, she holds a B.A. in psychology and a Master’s in social work.