The Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC) has a new interim leader. However, Kelsay Williams is not so new to CLC.

A graduate student in applied communication studies, Williams has been part of the CLC since she was a freshman.

“I know it’s going to be very bittersweet whenever I leave here, because this has been my life at UALR,” said Williams, who is serving as interim coordinator.

The CLC is a scholarship program offered to high school seniors who show exemplary leadership skills.

Williams started as a CLC scholar in 2011 and became an ambassador and junior mentor in the program. She returned as a graduate assistant in 2014 after she graduated with a degree in speech communication.

She took over Nick Steele’s position as coordinator on Feb. 1 after Steele became a concurrent enrollment specialist at UALR.

“It was wonderful working for Nick,” Williams said. “I had the utmost respect for him and what he did for our students.”

Williams is a “great leader” who is ready for her new role, Steele said.

“She will do wonderful things and keep things moving along in CLC during the interim,” Steele said. “She has all the knowledge to succeed.”

As interim coordinator, Williams will oversee interviews and student applications for the program. She will meet with CLC students to make sure they are on track to keep their scholarship and advise them if needed.

Additionally, she will manage the hiring of new student leaders, such as sophomore ambassadors and junior mentors, for the program.

“I have the support of the students in our office and the students in our program, so I feel very blessed in that aspect to have so much support, not only from students, but also from faculty and staff members,” she said.

Williams said it is rewarding to help CLC students with their progression through school.

After graduating, Williams is interested in pursuing a doctorate in communications studies, so that she might teach at the college level.