John Williams


John Williams set Muhlenberg on an ambitious path of growth, change and service. With a new College Strategic Plan, new leadership in positions across the campus, rising quality in our entering classes and a deep commitment to supporting the faculty in their work as teachers and as scholars, he positioned the College for an exciting, entrepreneurial future, building on a solid foundation built by those who have gone before.

Taking office as our 12th president on July 1, 2015, President Williams brought to Muhlenberg his wide-ranging experience in liberal arts colleges and an extensive background in corporate leadership and entrepreneurship.

President Williams was born in New York City and grew up in suburban Long Island, N.Y. He earned his B.A., magna cum laude, in 1975 from Amherst College, where he majored in economics.

After graduating four years later from Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School, he became the first person of color ever hired at the strategy consulting firm Bain & Co. He went on to launch several successful entrepreneurial ventures. Among other positions, he was also a senior vice president at American Express and served as an expert-in-residence at Harvard’s Innovation Lab.

President Williams has traveled extensively and is also an accomplished pilot. He and his wife, Diane Pierce-Williams, have three adult children and one grandchild.


Community Message: October 28, 2018
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg community
Sunday, October 28, 2018 09:22 AM

Community Message: October 25, 2018
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg community
Thursday, October 25, 2018 01:10 PM

Community Message: October 3, 2017
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg community
Tuesday, October 3, 2017 07:00 PM

Community Message: In Defense of DACA
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg community
Tuesday, September 5, 2017 01:15 PM

An Important Message from President Williams regarding Charlottesville
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg community
Monday, August 14, 2017 07:40 PM

Community Update: July 26, 2017
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg community
Wednesday, July 26, 2017 07:45 AM

Campus Update regarding DACA and Immigration and Travel Ban
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg community
Thursday, February 2, 2017 03:30 PM

Message Regarding Immigration and Travel Ban
A message from President Williams
Monday, January 30, 2017 05:08 PM

Community Update: January 25, 2017
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg Community
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 08:30 AM

Community Update: September 27, 2016
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg Community
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 02:10 PM

Muhlenberg College Convocation Address
President Williams' address to first-year students at the College's annual Opening Convocation
Sunday, August 28, 2016 00:00 PM

Reflections on Last Week's Tragic Events
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg Community
Tuesday, July 12, 2016 11:45 AM

Community Update: June 24, 2016
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg Community
Friday, June 24, 2016 02:21 PM

Community Update, April 15, 2016
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg Community
Friday, April 15, 2016 10:00 AM

"What Three College Presidents Learned From Campus Racism Protests"
President Williams, along with presidents of Pomona and Davidson, is featured in an article that reflects on student protests on campus after racially charged events at University of Missouri.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 04:40 PM

"New Man on Campus: John Williams, President of Muhlenberg College"
President Williams is featured in an article that highlights Muhlenberg's efforts to increase diversity and strengthen a mentoring network.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 04:29 PM

"5 Reasons A Liberal Arts Education Rocks"
President Williams is featured on the leadership roles and skills Muhlenberg Colleges students acquire on campus in an article on the value of a liberal arts education.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 04:20 PM

Above and Beyond
President Williams' address to the community upon the occasion of his Inauguration as the Twelfth President of Muhlenberg College
Sunday, October 25, 2015 03:30 AM

Telling Muhlenberg's Story More Powerfully
Notes and a presentation on the process by which the College explored the history of Muhlenberg's core values and defining strengths in order to tell our story more powerfully, including a new visual identity grounded more clearly and distinctively in the College's values and proud history.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015 08:22 PM

Muhlenberg College Convocation Address 2015
President Williams' address to first-year students at the College's annual Opening Convocation
Sunday, August 30, 2015 00:00 PM

A Message from President Williams
President Williams writes to the Muhlenberg Community on his first day as President
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 00:11 PM