David Williams Finds New Home at University of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – David Williams taught in the College of Education and Health Professions several times and has collaborated with University of Arkansas faculty and staff members many times over the past 30 years. It seemed a natural fit for him to join the university community after his retirement as chief executive officer of Ozark Guidance, a mental-health center based in Springdale.

Last year, Williams was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. Under Williams’ leadership, Ozark Guidance adopted innovative practices such as supported employment, school-based services, assertive community treatment, intensive family intervention, jail-based services and supportive housing. Nearly 400 friends and colleagues attended an event last November in honor of Williams’ service to northwest Arkansas.

“I have been engaged with several departments in the College of Education and Health Professions, teaching in an adjunct capacity and working on projects and research. This was a chance for me to do some payback,” Williams said of his nine-month appointment as executive-in-residence and assistant clinical professor in the college’s department of health science, kinesiology, recreation and dance. “Our college’s students and graduates touch many lives across Arkansas. I’m excited to be part of preparing the next generation of educators and service providers.”

Williams began working half-time in January. He is teaching a graduate course in public health this semester and will teach a graduate course in health counseling in the fall. Ozark Guidance was a practicum site for numerous students from the college to gain experience, and many were hired there in such fields as counseling, nursing and speech pathology.

“Over 30 years we touched bases in a lot of places,” Williams said. “The college and other parts of the university have been an incredibly rich resource for the community and Ozark Guidance.”

Before his appointment, Williams took on a project that he recently completed for Reed Greenwood, dean of the college. Williams facilitated the work of a committee called Fifteen for the Future that Greenwood established to review the opportunities and challenges facing the college.

“Working with the Fifteen for the Future committee was a great start for me,” Williams said. “It gave me the chance to meet a wonderful brain trust of faculty members and department leaders who care tremendously about the university and its students.”

Greenwood considers it his good fortune to have known Williams for more than 20 years and to have followed Williams’ career in the mental-health field.

“David Williams is a dedicated professional who has guided the development of an exceptionally strong array of mental-health services for our region,” Greenwood said. “In addition, he is widely respected across the state and nation. We know David as a caring leader who will bring the experience, knowledge and skills that we continually seek in our college. As an executive in residence, he will bring both wisdom and commitment to the classroom, his department and the college.”

Williams also has been working with officials of the college and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock on plans for a northwest satellite campus of the medical school in Fayetteville. Officials are planning to renovate the former Washington Regional Medical Center facility on College Avenue for the satellite campus. The College of Education and Health Professions is involved because portions of its nursing and communication disorders academic programs may be moved to the satellite location.

“The two entities are exploring short- and long-term collaborations,” Williams explained. “Right now, we’re concentrating on sharing the old WRMC facility, trying to make things work and to be sure that needs are met. We’ve also been brainstorming, and there are a lot of possibilities when you think five, 10 years down the road.”

Williams works from an office in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building and enjoys the campus atmosphere.

“There’s a diversity of ideas and people that is extremely attractive to me, not only the kind of things that stretch my mind, but also the collegial discourse. People with strong, differing opinions work together and respect each other. That’s attractive. Life’s not very interesting when everybody is alike. Here’s a place that is genuinely making diversity a strength.”

“I don’t think the college has peaked yet,” Williams continued. “We can collaborate more inside the college and with other university entities and with community, state, national and international entities. If we are concerned with education reform, why not look at health care reform, too? We could work with government, business, health care providers and other players to create a more accessible, affordable and cost-efficient health care delivery system.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity to be a part of the college. It has been a wonderful transition from my work at Ozark Guidance.”