Vice President – Education
[email protected]
Ereka R. Williams, PhD, is Dogwood Health Trust’s Vice President – Education, bringing more than 20 years of teaching, scholarship and leadership to the organization. Her work is grounded in the belief that philanthropy has the power to responsibly address systemic issues with root causes intricately tied to history. She strives to leverage resources and build collaborations that accelerate educational opportunity, especially for those generationally pushed to the margins or underserved.
Prior to Dogwood, Dr. Williams served as Associate Provost for Academic Strategy and Institutional Effectiveness at Winston-Salem State University. Earlier still, as Associate Dean of Education, Quality Assurance and Community Engagement and Associate Dean of Education at Fayetteville State University (FSU), she led curriculum revisions, resource restructuring, created teacher residency models and initiated regional and national partnerships that strengthened quality assurance systems for teacher education programs. Today, Dr. Williams’ work ensures philanthropic investments and partnerships that are relevant, responsive, effective, fair and equitable for the people of Western North Carolina.
Dr. Williams has served as a coach, speaker, researcher, board member and reviewer for rural and urban schools across the midwest, northeast and southeastern US. Her research, publications and presentations focus on equity, diversity, assessment, accreditation and leadership. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Address:
890 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
Mailing:
890 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
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Support programs and networks that reduce deaths, treat addiction, and prevent first use
Help reduce disparities based on race, location, education and income factors
Invest in integrated heath care with seamless connections to supportive services
Support communities that promote healthy living and resiliency and help mitigate the impact of trauma, isolation and stress on individuals and families, especially those experiencing poverty
Support a well-funded, sustainable, competitive entrepreneur and small business ecosystem throughout the region
Help build a regional economic ecosystem that supports increased creation/retention of jobs and business ownership
Help build a skilled workforce with the knowledge and technical abilities to excel in a wide range of industry employment opportunities that provide a competitive, sustainable wage
Source, analyze and share a comprehensive, county-by-county data set that paints a full picture of work readiness, economic development and entrepreneurial needs and opportunities specific to Western North Carolina
Work in tandem with Economic Opportunity Strategic Priority to invest in career readiness at the community college and university levels
Support K-12 learning experiences with the resources and sustainability to provide an excellent academic and social-emotional education, so that all students graduate ready for college or career
Invest in an improved early childhood education ecosystem with the resources and sustainability to provide developmentally appropriate, affordable and accessible education and care to support ages birth to five, so that all children in WNC enter kindergarten ready to learn
Source, analyze and share a comprehensive set of publicly available data that provides a regularly updated, county-by-county picture of access, workforce and student outcomes in early childhood education and K-12 education specific to Western North Carolina
Loans, guarantees, and other financial tools to leverage funding opportunities
Increase affordable housing for lowest-income individuals and families
Support age-appropriate resources in affordable and workforce units, rental and owned
Invest in housing with sustainable supports for physical and mental health and wellbeing
Support healthy and safe revitalizations that work against displacement and gentrification, preserve home ownership and create generational wealth.