NSU’s McElroy to retire, Williams to step in as Muskogee campus dean

(Muskogee, Oklahoma) - Northeastern State University has announced that Dr. Kimberly Williams will be the next dean of the Muskogee campus, following the retirement of Dr. Tim McElroy.

Williams currently serves as the dean of Workforce Education at Grayson College in Denison, Texas. Her previous roles at the college include dean of the South Campus, director of the Teacher Education Program, professor of education, assistant athletic director, head softball coach and developmental writing and physical education instructor. Other stops in her career include Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Bixby High School and Skiatook High School and Middle School.

She holds a bachelors degree in English education from NSU, a masters degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and a doctorate in educational leadership with an emphasis on higher education from Baylor University.

Dr. Williams has an impressive understanding of the challenges and opportunities that face the region, said NSU Provost Dr. Debbie Landry. She brings a diverse set of experiences and wisdom from her work at Grayson. She articulated a vision for excellence for the Muskogee campus and community, and I look forward to helping her and her team reach that vision.

Williams will begin on July 15. Her predecessor, McElroy, is set to retire July 1.

After 45 years it is time to devote more time to my wonderful family including eight beautiful grandkids, McElroy said. NSU and Muskogee has been great to me and I will miss the people and cherish the friendships I have made over the past 20 years.

McElroy started at the Muskogee campus on June 1, 1999, after serving as director of admissions and registrar at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma for six years. Before USAO, he was the director of admissions at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas for three years and he spent two years as the director of high school and college relations at East Central University. Others stops included Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Perry Public Schools and Tahlequah Public Schools. He served as the Reach Higher State Director from 2006 until 2011.

Since McElroy arrived at NSU-Muskogee, the campus has evolved into an allied health care hub by offering online degrees in nursing at both the bachelors and masters levels. A masters in occupational therapy began in January 2014 and the institution is currently pursuing accreditation for a masters in physician assistant studies.

Dr. McElroy cares deeply about NSU and has worked tirelessly to make the Muskogee campus a connected and strong location of the institution, Landry said. His sense of commitment has inspired all in the NSU family and the community has appreciated his intense involvement. His efforts have kept the door open for students to complete degrees through the Reach Higher Program. I will miss Dean McElroy and wish him and his family the best in his well deserved retirement.