Judy Williams, associate vice chancellor of Communications and Marketing at UA Little Rock, has announced her retirement, effective in January. Her final day on campus will be Dec. 19. 

Williams came to UA Little Rock in 2007, having previously served as director of media relations at Hendrix College, senior public relations account executive at Stone Ward advertising agency in Little Rock, and marketing director for Doctors Hospital. She started her career as a newspaper journalist.

She expanded UA Little Rock’s communications and marketing department to include a digital division with a greater focus on web and social media and strategic communications and the staff addition of a photographer/videographer. She oversaw the university’s website redesigns, conversions from print to electronic newsletters, the UA Little Rock name rollout, and collaborated with the Athletics Department on rebranding Trojan Athletics to Little Rock’s Team.

During her tenure at UA Little Rock, Williams oversaw print publications, advertising and marketing, media relations, and internal and external communications, including crisis and emergency communications. She was creative director for several marketing campaigns, including Difference of Degree, My Future@Work, Grads@Work, and Unlimited Pathways campaigns.

Williams also led the team in winning a number of awards, including Council for Advancement and Support of Education awards, International Association of Business Communicators Arkansas Chapter Bronze Quill Awards, a first-place Prism award from the Public Relations Society of America Arkansas Award for the UALR Grads@Work campaign, and two national Telly Awards. 

“It will be hard to replace the great energy Judy brought to this role,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “She is known for having established a superb organization, hiring top communications professionals, and executing her job and duties flawlessly.”

Williams said, “I’m so fortunate to be able to retire from a career in journalism, healthcare, and higher education—institutions that serve people. I got a chance to do what I loved in all of these jobs and meet wonderful people who serve others. The students, faculty, and staff, and colleagues in communications and marketing will always hold a special place in my heart.” 

Williams is a former member of the board of directors for the Arkansas chapter of Public Relations Society of America, a past president of the Arkansas chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators and a recipient of the chapter’s President’s Award in Communications Excellence. She currently serves on the UA Little Rock Institutional Effectiveness Committee, the Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Steering Committee, and the Retention Committee.

Her colleagues and friends are invited to a reception in her honor from 1-3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, in Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter B.