Princeton University Athletics
Michelle A. Williams ‘84 ScD / Women’s Volleyball, Track & Field
City, State / Workplace / Title
Boston, MA / Harvard University/ Dean of the Faculty Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health
Medical Specialty / Other Degrees (MBA/MPH, etc.)
Epidemiologist / SM and ScD
What made you choose a career in healthcare?
I was drawn to a career that allowed me to combine a love of science with social justice – the desire to be translational really led me to public health. I have spent my entire career as an academic public health educator and research scientist.
What is the focus of your work today?
My current focus is on academic leadership, as Dean of the Faculty, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
How has your work changed in the face of COVID-19?
The determined and righteous push for racial equality and social justice is what inspires me as I look ahead.Michelle Williams
The pandemic has forced a reckoning... Our field is now embedded in the public consciousness; it is seen, understood, and appreciated in a way it never has been before… We’re leading long-overdue dialogues around health inequities—why Black, Latinx, and Indigenous Americans are suffering disproportionately during this pandemic. We’re witnessing real-time innovations in telehealth, with mental health in particular finally being given the same priority as physical health. And we’re watching other sectors integrate public health values into their practices —and CEOs discussing the need to add chief public health officers to their C-suites…We have witnessed powerfully impactful public-private partnerships that brought forth spectacularly novel and effective COVID-19 vaccines in record time. More people now see, appreciate and value public health as an important and strategic pillar of investment for health, economic and national security.
How did being a Princeton student-athlete prepare you for the challenges you’ve faced?
Practice, persistence, perseverance, and team work allowed our Volleyball team to compete at very high levels against demonstrably more athletically talented and intimidating Division I opponents. Balancing rigorous academic responsibilities while traveling and competing at such high levels allowed us to hone our personal and collective athletic skills while also allowing us to learn how to develop and execute strategies designed to enhance our strengths and mitigate our weaknesses. The lessons learned from my student-athlete days have proven particularly valuable in my work as a global public health problem solver.
What keeps you inspired as you look ahead?
The determined and righteous push for racial equity and social justice. I’m excited that we’re seeing a huge shift at the educational level: Applications to degree programs hosted by the Harvard Chan School increased over 40 percent, and applications to the MPH in epidemiology program increased 177 percent. That tells me that our future leaders truly embrace the primacy of public health. We are all changed, because we know that caring about populations is imperative to each of us. Public health is in us all.
Medical School / Other Affiliations
Princeton '84; Harvard School of Public Health '86, '91
Tiger Heroes
In partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, the official health care system of Princeton Athletics, “Tiger Heroes” honors front line workers and health care leaders from our alumni community. This digital and social series highlights alumni from all 37 varsity sports programs who have risen to the challenge since the onset of COVID-19. We also recognize special Princeton friends and family. Nominations may be sent to Jess Deutsch, Princeton's Associate Director, Student-Athlete Services: jdeutsch@princeton.edu