AYANNA WILLIAMS

11805 S. Laflin Street, Chicago, IL 60643 | (773) 621-7407 | awilliamsazibo@luc.edu

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Workshop Design Group Facilitation Budget Management

Academic Advising Research Program Management
Student Organization Advising Student Conduct Student Supervision
Academic Curriculum Development Conflict Mediation Program Assessment & Evaluation

EDUCATION

Loyola University Chicago May 2017

Masters of Education in Higher Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign May 2015

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Declared Majors: (1) Economics and (2) Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability
NASPA Undergraduate Fellow

STUDENT AFFAIRS EXPERIENCE

School of Education, Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL

Graduate Teaching Assistant December 2016 Present
Co-instructed Introduction to Leadership Studies course which explored contemporary
leadership skills and knowledge with an emphasis on critical reflection and service
learning in the context of social systems
Developed a 15-week course curriculum
Created and implemented nine lesson plans that intertwined leadership theories,
leadership and social identity development activities, and interactive dialogue to
maximize experiential learning
Advised seven students on academics
Served as community service site liaison to three sites to ensure learning outcomes of
students service site and in-class experiences were aligned
Provided feedback on assignments and examinations
Facilitated mid-semester course assessment process to collect qualitative data in regards
to the effectiveness of the course

Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, The University of Chicago Chicago, IL

Graduate Assessment and Evaluation Intern September 2016 Present
Supports evaluation and assessment of programmatic effectiveness and learning
outcomes through qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
Creates evaluation plans for OMSA and the Center for Identity and Inclusion programs,
events, workshops, and presentations
 Constructs and co-facilitates student development workshop curriculum for student
Campus Life orientation, student organization leadership development, and the OMSA
Allocation Fund board professional development training
Directs the student OMSA Allocation Fund by advising a board of 5 graduate and
undergraduate students on funding allocation decisions for campus student programming
Oversees a budget of $4,000

Journal of Critical Scholarship on Higher Education and Student Affairs Chicago, IL

Editorial Assistant - Communication September 2016 Present
Loyola University Chicagos student-run, open-access, peer-reviewed journal that
examines and explores higher education and student affairs through various critical
perspectives to provide actionable scholarship that enacts campus and community change
Guides and maintains external communication of the Journal ranging from press releases,
social media presence, general external promotions, and editorial board recruitment
Performs administrative tasks associated with journal publication such as expanding the
reach and capacity of the Journal through the promotion of published manuscripts, issue
release dates, call for papers, and assisting with programs and workshops

#BeingBlackAtIllinois Campaign Urbana-Champaign, IL

Co-founder and Alumni Liaison March 2014 Present
Co-founded #BeingBlackAtIllinois at the University of Illinois to enact collaborative
action between student leaders and university administrators in order to systematically
address and resolve racially charged critical campus incidents
Organized and facilitated community forums, educational programs, solidarity
demonstrations, and social justice workshops for students, faculty, staff, and community
members
Delegated tasks to co-founding members and volunteers pertaining to event and solidarity
demonstration planning and implementation
Oversaw and managed internal and external communication in regards to media outlets,
student leaders, administrators, community members, and social media platforms
Met several campaign goals including securing nearly $5 million from the university to
build a new African American Cultural Center within a 5-year plan, relocating the
African American Cultural Center to an improved temporary location during that 5-year
time period, implementing a new enrollment and retention plan for Black students,
increasing Black student enrollment, and passing a diversity focused general education
curriculum requirement

School of Law, Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL

Graduate Student Assistant October 2015 December 2016
Supported law students through online student services, retention efforts, and student
advising for the Business Law and Health Law online programs
Generated market research reports on the college student consumer market in order to
determine recruitment and enrollment opportunities within target markets in the fields of
business and health law
Assisted in coordinating 6 law conferences and seminars
Designed program evaluations for conferences, seminars, and networking events

University of Michigan Chicago, IL

Research Assistant, Detroit Reentry Project June 2015 September 2016
 Contributed to research team in collaboration with Dr. Reuben Miller examining former
prisoners interactions during the process of prisoner reentry
Conducted spatial analysis of recently released former prisoners patterns of mobility in
Detroit using ArcGIS software
Mapped social services, utilities, and treatment facilities available to Detroit residents
Conducted and coded qualitative interviews with Detroit residents facing a water crisis
Conducted literature reviews, data entry, transcription, and analysis as needed

UNDERGRADUATE INVOLVEMENT

University of Illinois Housing Champaign, IL
Graduate Upper Division Residential Advisor August 2014 May 2015
Developed and supervised a positive, safe, and inclusive community within the 714
student residence hall facilities by connecting residents to campus resources, enforcing
policies, and organizing and implementing building-wide events
Held the World RA leadership role; created programs specifically designed to cater to
the international student population
Served as advisor to the Resident Leadership Board

Social Justice Educator Paraprofessional Program Champaign, IL

Social Justice Educator Paraprofessional November 2013 May 2015
Designed and facilitated several diversity and inclusion workshops intended to improve
campus climate and ensure equal treatment for all students
Created student campus climate assessments and workshop evaluations
Served as a social justice advocate and liaison for all races, sexualities, religions,
ability/disability status, and nationalities in order to create an inclusive campus

PUBLICATIONS & CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Bankhead, T., Otchere, K., & Williams, A. (in-press). Housing is an Epicenter for Change: A
Narrative of Students and Staff Championing Campus Social Change Movements. Journal of
College Student and University Housing Social Justice Special Issue.
Bankhead, T., Otchere, K., & Williams, A. (2016). The Weight of the Warrior: Student Activism,
Practitioner Support & Self-Care. Presented at The 29th Annual National Conference on Race &
Ethnicity in American Higher Education.
Williams, A. (2015). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Central Black Student Union
Conference, Our Place at a Predominately White Institution.

HONORS AND AWARDS

2015 Black Women Rock! Trailblazer Award, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2015 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2015 International Spirit Award, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2014 Black Women Rock! Innovator Award, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign