Originally from West Atlanta, GA, Brittany M. Williams, Ph.D. is a first generation (first gen) college graduate and proud of it. Now, and Assistant Professor of Higher Education at St. Cloud State University, Brittany defines herself as a Hip-Hop Feminist, scholar, activist, and most importantly, a lover of language and words (though she is much more). She attributes her unparalleled love for writing and reading to poet and novelist James Baldwin, and many of the scholars he has influenced.
Brittany stumbled into her higher education career after her extensive engagement as an undergraduate became the venue through which she traveled the world. After spending much of the first 18 years of her life within a 10-mile radius, Brittany decided that her positive experiences outside of in-classroom education should not be limited to herself alone. As such, her love for bridging cultural divides, promoting the most unlikeliest of friendships, and passion for Social Justice drives her desire to become a life-long higher education professional where she can do the same for new generations of students. This manifests in Brittany’s on and offline career and mentoring advice for young and prospective student affairs and higher education professionals.
Brittany is a co-founder of the award-winning Black women’s empowerment group and organization #CiteASista and is one of five founding members of #SisterPhD. Cite A Sista offers a groupme, online, and in person community for Black women to support, encourage, and uplift one another. The movement often offers space for Black women to discuss difficult or otherwise unsavory for dinner table conversations with a long-term goal of destigmatizing Black women’s issues.
SisterPhD is a group designed to facilitate and encourage sisterhood and support as a graduate school retention strategy. The latter’s model is being replicated at institutions across the country and across graduate programs as master’s and doctoral students alike have sought to recreate such communal dynamics.
Brittany obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College in 2012 and a Master’s degree from Teachers College Columbia University in 2013. During her tenure at Hampshire, Brittany completed a 100+ page Division III (or thesis) “Turning Tables: Justice for All, Just Not for Us” investigating the intersection between the historical oral tradition found in African American culture and its contemporary manifestations within Hip-Hop. Her analysis illuminates narratives of resistance, subversion, and critique as produced within mainstream Rap music and larger Hip Hop culture and includes a focused discussion on ways in which younger Hip Hop fans and consumers are informed by the medium. Brittany completed her Ph.D. in College Student Affairs Administration at the University of Georgia, where she completed a dissertation on Black administrative professional women’s push out and opt out experiences from Higher Education and Student Affairs workplaces.
Outside of the classroom, Brittany publicly engages the community on her research regarding the experiences of Black women in higher education, HIV/Aids prevention, and problems of social class through keynotes, workshops, and panels. She also serves as a freelance career and admissions coach. This work is an extension of her previous tenure as a (Senior) Career Consultant. Prior to committing her practice and research to issues of career development, Brittany held positions in housing and residence life as a Residence Hall Director and Area Coordinator for Living Learning Communities at a mid-sized public institution and small liberal arts college respectively. For much of her academic career, Brittany has remained committed to her love of bridging Hip Hop and other non-traditional pedagogies with mainstream education, and once served as the primary course instructor for a class titled “Can I Live:’ Hip Hop, Spoken Word, & Non-Traditional Education in the Black Community.”
When not aiding clients with finding a meaningful career and academic path, you can find Brittany writing for publication, demystifying the academy, or engaging popular culture topics through digital and social media platforms. Brittany firmly believes in life-long education and is always looking for mentors and friends, so please, do not hesitate to reach out. Collaborations on new projects and ideas are more than welcomed!