Randall Williams is the dean of students at UTC. Photo by Angela Foster.
For some students, the title “Dean of Students” may sound intimidating. Randall Williams hopes they’ll see it differently.
Less than a year into the role at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Williams oversees everything from student engagement and campus organizations to Student Outreach and Support and student conduct. His goal is to help students make the most of their time at UTC and overcome any challenges that may come up along the way.
Can you tell me a little about your background and what brought you to UTC?
“I’ve worked in higher education for 22 years. I started in residence life at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, before moving into student conduct, which has been the focus of most of my career.
“I later worked at Vanderbilt University, but when the opportunity at UTC came along in 2025, it just felt like home. I could also see myself here because I went to a university that felt a lot like UTC. Every day lets me know that I made the right decision to come here.”
For students who may not know, what does the dean of students actually do?
“I think the dean of students is the curator of the student experience here at UTC.
“It’s about creating an environment that’s safe, healthy and promotes growth academically, professionally and socially. We want students to come here and have a great time. When alumni look back and tell stories about their college experience, a lot of those memories come from the things that come out of the dean of students’ office. That’s really what this role is about: helping create that student experience.”
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The Office of the Dean of Students is located in the University Center Room 399. Click here to learn more about its resources.
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What are some of the ways your office supports students?
“One area is the Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community. Research shows that when students find community and get involved on campus, they end up succeeding academically, socially and professionally. It’s about helping students find their place by connecting them with organizations, clubs and opportunities that match their interests.
“Another area is Student Outreach and Support. That team helps students with basic needs and connects them to resources across campus, whether that’s the food pantry, Counseling Center or other services. You can’t be hungry or dealing with mental health challenges and expect to succeed. Our job is to help students navigate those challenges and get the support they need. A lot of times, students don’t learn about those resources until they’re already experiencing difficulties or challenges. We want to make sure students know those resources are available before they need them, so they already know where to turn if something comes up.
“The third area is student conduct, and that’s near and dear to my heart because I kind of grew up in that work. Student conduct is about teaching students what it means to live in a community, what the expectations are and what happens when their actions fall outside those expectations. Ultimately, it’s about helping create a healthy and safe environment where students can learn and grow.”
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Click here to read about Student Outreach and Support Executive Director Tish Hubbard.
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Some students think of the dean of students’ office as the campus “principal’s office.” What would you say to someone who has that perception?
“I hear people say, ‘I hope I never have to see you,’ all the time.
“What I tell them is, ‘Come see me first.’ If you have an issue or concern, ask a question. Schedule an appointment. Reach out before a situation becomes something bigger.
“I’d much rather have a student come to me on their own than have me reaching out because I need to address something.
“There’s so much more to this office than student conduct. If you’re thinking about joining an organization, trying to figure out your next step or just want to talk through something, we’re here to help students plot that path and get where they want to go.”
You’ve had the chance to experience almost a full year at UTC. Is there a campus event that has stood out to you?
“Being a judge for the Homecoming Lip Sync Competition was an amazing experience.
“Watching the Panhellenic community come together and seeing how much work goes into those performances was incredible. The dancing, the choreography, the athletic ability—it was all phenomenal. You could tell they were putting a big piece of who they are on that stage and representingtheir organizations in a really strong way.
“It also made for one of the toughest judging experiences I’ve ever had. Everyone puts so much into that event, and it’s easy to see why students care about it so much.”
Learn more
Office of the Dean of Students
