Dr. Tonjua Williams is the seventh president of St. Petersburg College (SPC). St. Petersburg College serves over 35,000 students annually with campuses sprawled throughout Pinellas County. St. Petersburg Colleges mission is to help students gain economic mobility through education, job placement and transfer to a university or the military.
Williams began her career at St. Petersburg College as a senior accounting clerk and quickly moved through the ranks and continued her education as she ascended. She took the reins as college president when St. Petersburg College had a $14 million deficit.
Under Williams leadership, St. Petersburg College is now a fiscally strong institution and continues to expand its educational offerings to meet the evolving needs of students. Removing barriers to education is important to her.
Under her leadership, the college launched the new Promise Scholarship in 2023. The Promise Scholarship is designed to support graduates of high schools serving students in the opportunity zones of Pinellas County by providing free tuition at SPC. This program has expanded the number of high school students earning postsecondary credentials exponentially. In August, 450 new high school graduates enrolled at SPC.
She has fostered strong partnerships with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government entities such as Duke Energy Florida, Bank of America, City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County Schools, the Pinellas County Sheriff Department, the University of South Florida, and the Helios Foundation. In partnership with Bank of America, in 2022-23, SPC placed over 1,600 students in a high-wage paying job. In partnership with Duke Energy and other energy organizations, SPC is offering a 14-week line worker program where graduates earn $60,000 annually.
She is all about potential, said her staff. Dr. Williams strongly believes it is not where you start, but where you finish.
In addition to her role as president, Williams is actively involved in the community and serves on several local, state, and national boards and committees, including the executive board of The American Association of Community Colleges and the American Association of Women in Community College. Recently, she was included as one of Tampa Bays power 100, one of Florida Trend Floridas 500 most influential leaders, and a recipient of the Community College Baccalaureate Association pioneer award 2024.
According to Williams, her number one priority is to create a community of care. Leaders sacrifice a lot to not only reach their position but also persist in their position, she said. A leader must be inspirational to guide their team to achieve a common goal.
