New Alumni Leadership
Emily Williams joined Trinity College in January as the inaugural associate vice president for alumni engagement. She most recently served as director of career and alumni engagement at Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
Prior to Harvard, Williams served at several other Boston-area institutions, including Bentley University, where she led the university’s alumni and family engagement program, and MIT Sloan School of Management, where she helped advance the school’s alumni and student engagement programs while working closely with the Alumni Board.
A graduate of Union College with an M.A. from Lesley University, Williams is involved in several professional organizations, including the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). She also serves as president of the Alumni Council for St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland and is a longtime annual fund volunteer for Union.
Ben Anderson, Trinity’s vice president for advancement, noted in a story announcing Williams’s arrival that she has “a remarkable track record of building teams and developing innovative programs, complemented by her extensive experience working with volunteers.” He added, “Her data-driven approach paired with understanding what makes the Trinity community special made her the ideal choice to lead our engagement efforts.”
The Trinity Reporter asked Williams a few key questions. Read on for her responses.
What drew you to Trinity?
I am an alum of a small liberal arts college, and Trinity’s strong sense of community and shared purpose immediately resonated with me. I have been deeply impressed by the College’s academic rigor, its vibrant residential liberal arts experience, and its long-standing commitment to Hartford and the wider world. I was also drawn to Trinity’s rich history and traditions, coupled with a clear willingness to evolve and innovate. The opportunity to help strengthen lifelong connections between alumni and the College at such a pivotal moment was especially compelling.
What are your priorities as you begin your time here?
My initial priority is listening—learning from alumni, volunteers, students, and colleagues about what Trinity means to them and how they want to stay connected. Participating in volunteer calls and introductory meetings has already reinforced what makes this community special; it’s clear that Bantams share a deep sense of pride! From there, I’m focused on building a strong, collaborative alumni engagement team and ensuring our programs are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to alumni across generations and geographies. I’m also eager to partner closely with advancement colleagues to align engagement efforts with the College’s strategic goals and to support meaningful volunteer leadership.
What excites you the most about your new role?
What excites me most is the opportunity to help shape alumni engagement at Trinity in new and impactful ways, particularly at a moment of renewed energy and optimism under President Lugo’s leadership. Trinity alumni care deeply about the College and about one another, and there is tremendous potential to harness that energy through innovative programs, thoughtful use of data, and authentic storytelling. I’m especially excited about creating opportunities that connect alumni with students and young alumni, helping to strengthen the Trinity network for years to come.
What would you like alumni to know about you and your hopes for the College?
I want alumni to know that I deeply value their experiences, perspectives, and time. I’m an eternal optimist who loves to innovate while also deeply respecting the traditions and history that make Trinity special. As a dedicated and longtime volunteer myself, I understand how powerful alumni relationships can be, not only for institutions but also for individuals. My hope is to build engagement opportunities that feel meaningful, personal, and rewarding and that reinforce the idea that Trinity is a lifelong community. I look forward to meeting alumni, hearing their stories, and working together to ensure Trinity continues to thrive.
