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A Leader from the Beginning: A Tribute to Ethel Hill Williams, Ph.D.

A warm smile, a great laugh, and an impeccable career in public service, the School of Public Administration is losing a piece of our hearts come summer.

Ethel Williams, Ph.D.

Omaha – After a long and distinguished career as an educator, researcher, and mentor to her students and colleagues, Ethel Hill Williams, Ph.D., is retiring.

Throughout her career, Williams relentlessly focused on lifting others up, putting her deep faith into action, and mentoring young people. Serving on many boards and councils where she was a strong advocate for people in need, Williams has received many awards and recognition for her commitment to social equity and cultural competency. More importantly, she inspired all of her students to pursue their dreams while giving back to their communities.

Williams is the Reynolds professor of public affairs and director of the School of Public Administration at UNO. She has more than three decades of experience in the field of public administration with particular expertise in the area of human resource management. Her research interests include social equity, health disparities as a policy issue, and workforce planning with an emphasis on succession planning. In addition to her teaching and research she has served, and continues to serve, on numerous professional and public boards and commissions.

In April 2018, Williams was the recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award at the ASPA-Nebraska Conference and Public Service Awards Luncheon. Williams has received many other notable recognitions for her extraordinary service, including:

  • Chancellor’s Medal for Outstanding Service at UNO.
  • President of the Network of School of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration.
  • Women's Center for Advancement's Tribute to Women Award.
  • Outstanding Alumna Award from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public & International Affairs.
  • Fellow, National Academy of Public Administration.

Please join us in congratulating Ethel Hill Williams, Ph.D., for her more than 30 years of dedication to public service! Her unwavering dedication to the School of Public Administration, the University of Nebraska Omaha, and the community will be sorely missed.

Send notes of congratulations, well wishes, and sincere gratitude to ewilliams@unomaha.edu.