APA President Wendi S. Williams, PhD, to Deliver Albizu University Miami Campus’ Commencement Keynote

Albizu University proudly announces that Wendi S. Williams, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association (APA), will deliver the keynote address at the university's upcoming commencement ceremony on Friday, October 9 at the James L. Knight Center in Miami.

A psychologist, educator and advocate whose work bridges psychology, education and leadership, Dr. Williams brings more than two decades of experience focused on the inner lives and experiences of Black women and girls. Her work draws on liberation psychology and Black, womanist and intersectional feminist theory to develop culturally responsive educational and psychological interventions and strategies that drive organizational and leadership change.

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Prior to her appointment as president, Dr. Williams held several leadership and other roles within APA, including president of APA's Division 35, the Society for the Psychology of Women and its Section on Black Women. She also served as the division's representative to APA's Council of Representatives, contributed to APA Division 17's Presidential Taskforce Against Racism in K–12 Schools and was a member of Divisions 44 and 45, the Association of Black Psychologists and the Society of Indian Psychologists.

As APA president, Dr. Williams aims to advance her campaign theme, "Radically Well Together," emphasizing the vital role psychologists play as scientists, practitioners, advocates, teachers and leaders in promoting wellness across communities. Her three presidential initiatives further expand psychology's impact: "100 Psychologists Rising," which broadens career pathways for emerging psychologists; the "Youth Mental Health Summit," a series of regional and community events culminating in a national summit planned for fall 2026; and "Work and Wellness," which addresses workplace well-being and economic uncertainty through psychological research and forward-thinking policy.

"Dr. Williams' leadership and commitment to expanding the impact of psychology are deeply aligned with Albizu University's mission to educate the next generation of mental health professionals and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve," said Albizu University President Dr. Nelson E. Soto. "Her work demonstrates how psychology can extend beyond traditional settings to address some of the most important challenges facing individuals, families, workplaces and communities. As we celebrate Albizu's 60th anniversary, we are truly honored to welcome Dr. Williams to this very special commencement and know that her message will inspire our graduates as they begin the next chapter of their professional journeys."

Throughout her career, Dr. Williams has served in senior academic leadership roles, including provost and senior vice president at Fielding Graduate University, and has also held positions at Mills College School of Education and Bank Street College of Education. Through her consultation practice, she also develops organizational interventions designed to help leaders and teams achieve high performance while fostering sustainable equity practices.

A prolific author and editor, Dr. Williams has coauthored numerous journal articles and book chapters and is the author and editor of several books, including Black Women at Work: On Refusal and Recovery, The Majestic Place: The Freedom Possible in Black Women's Leadership and WE Matter!: Intersectional Anti-Racist Feminist Interventions with Black Girls and Women. She is also a coeditor of the APA Handbook on the Psychology of Women.

Dr. Williams previously served as board co-chair for Girls Leadership, a nonprofit focused on helping girls and gender-expansive youth exercise the power of their voices through programs grounded in social-emotional learning.

Dr. Williams earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Davis, a master's degree in general psychology from Pepperdine University and a PhD in counseling psychology, with an emphasis on multicultural psychology and family systems, from Georgia State University.