Biography

I am proud that my heritage enables me to proclaim that I am a “woman of the Plains.” I was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on March 17th, shortly after the dawn of World War II. I am the second daughter of Bill and Eleanor Williams, and only sister to Dr. Sarah Williams Jacobson. I was graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor of science degree in nursing, and later earned a Masters of Education in Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and a second Masters and Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

I am the proud mother of three adult children—Erin, Matthew, and Todd—and three grandsons—Anthony, Lyle, and Gavin. I have been married to my soul mate Bruce for nearly forty-four years and together we have traveled to all but two of the world’s continents. My life has been filled with extraordinary opportunities, not the least of which is serving as the first dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.