Melanie Williams

Melanie Williams
Assistant to the President at Kalamazoo College and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees

Melanie Williams (she/her/hers) joined Kalamazoo College as assistant to the president and assistant secretary to the Board of Trustees in 2000.

Roles and Responsibilities

Melanie is the principal administrative liaison between the president and all internal and external constituencies of the College. She manages the president’s calendar and provides executive management for the Office of the President. Melanie coordinates special events sponsored by both the Office of the President and the Board of Trustees. She prepares materials for the President’s Staff and the Board of Trustees meetings, attends the meetings, and prepares minutes of the meetings for distribution.

Professional Experience

Melanie previously served in the provost’s office at Western Michigan University from 1988 to 2000, first as assistant to the assistant and associate provosts, then as assistant to the provost. She has more than 35 years of experience in higher education. 

Why K?

“When I interviewed for this position, I remember walking across the quad with the dean of students at the time, Marilyn LaPlante, and all the students were greeting her and she knew them by name. I was so taken by that connection between the students and the dean. It just felt right and I never looked back.” 

Life Outside of the College

“I love to spend time with my two children and my five grandchildren. I am my husband’s support crew for his gravel bike races. We’ve been to Iceland, where he biked 200 kilometers through volcanic areas, and are planning a trip to Spain for another bike race. I live with two very spoiled dogs who have me well trained. I am a Halloween fanatic. I decorate big time in my house, and I create and shop for Halloween things all year.”