Williams earned her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education/Child and Family Services from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. An Education at Illinois alumna, she completed her master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education and her Ph.D. in Special Education.

What do your research and practice focus on? 

My research focuses on family-centered early intervention services for young children with disabilities. I'm interested in how early intervention providers support families using recommended practices, especially for families of children with significant support needs. A former early intervention provider, I also explore how intersectional factors (e.g., race, culture, language, poverty) influence families' experiences as they navigate services.