UA Alum Named Fundraiser for College of Education, Health Professions

University of Arkansas alumna and former staff member Emily Williams has been named director of development for the College of Education and Health Professions, the school announced Friday.

She will report to Jamie Banks, senior director of development and external relations, and will play an instrumental role in securing private gift support for the college, according to a UA press release.

Williams previously worked at the UA for about seven years, most recently serving as director of development for the UA College of Engineering, before joining the Walton Arts Center as its director of corporate relations in March.

“Emily showed exceptional growth in leadership during her time at the university,” Katy Nelson-Ginder, assistant vice chancellor for development at the UA, said in the press release. “She is a talented development professional whose love for the university shines through in the work that she does with our alumni and donors. She is a valuable member of our fundraising team, and we are very happy to welcome her back to her alma mater.”

Before working at the UA, Williams worked as the government affairs coordinator for the USA Rice Federation and also as special projects coordinator for Congressman Mike Ross in Washington, D.C., from 2001 to 2004.

A native of Fort Smith, Williams has a bachelor’s in political science from the UA and a master’s in political management from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to return to the Division of Advancement and to be a part of the College of Education and Health Professions,” Williams said. “I’m looking forward to connecting the interests of our alumni with the programs and people of the college in a meaningful way.”