On April 23, 2010 the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System named Dr. Philip C. Williams the sixth president of McNeese State University.
He succeeds Dr. Robert Hebert who retired on June 30, 2010 after serving as McNeese president since 1987.
"We are very proud to have Dr. Philip Williams as part of the University of Louisiana System. I am confident the McNeese community will welcome Philip and Sandra with the same open and honest atmosphere the search committee and semi-finalist candidates experienced during the week of campus interview,” said UL System President Randy Moffett.
Dr. Williams has a unique combination of experience in the public and private sector. He holds a Doctorate in Health Policy and Administration, a Master’s Degree in Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts in History all from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also earned a Juris Doctorate from Columbia University School of Law.
During his interview, Dr. Williams characterized his administration as "inclusive, transparent and visionary,” and he believes a president should be a "facilitator.” He also said McNeese has "tremendous potential, especially in developing and expanding partnerships with business and industry.”
Dr. Williams describes himself as a student-centered president, who believes "every encounter with a student is a retention opportunity.”
