Diane Williams, MSc, PMP, is the director for the Science Technology Entry Program (STEP) at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), where she is engaged in running the medical school's STEP grant, as well as several community-based initiatives inspiring underserved youth to enter STEM professions.
The STEP grant aims to inspire underserved and economically disadvantaged high school and middle school students to pursue careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Since 2014, Williams has played a vital role in restructuring the STEP initiative from a localized after-school program to a centralized evening program located at NYITCOM, where she collaborates with NYITCOM and New York Tech faculty and administrators to coordinate weekly presentations by subject matter experts. She also collaborates with a VEX Robotics Team, an engineering group, an esports group, a research program under the guidance of two neuroscientists, a science program taught by faculty of the School of Health Professions, and a solutions group of scholars who develop localized solutions based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In 2020, Williams also co-developed an overarching online academy for the scholars to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to her involvement with the NYITCOM STEP program, Williams is co-chair of the Long Island STEM Diversity Summit held at SUNY Farmingdale. She is also a Diversity Representative for the Associated Medical Schools of New York Committee in Diversity and Multicultural Affairs (AMSNY CDMA) as well as a member of the Anti-Racial Anti-Bias Training Committee (ARABTC) and member of the Advocacy Committee for the Association of Professional Administrators of CSTEP and STEP. She is a member of the Presidential Task Force on Diversity Equity and Inclusion for New York Tech, and a member of the Student Recruitment and Outreach subcommittee for NYITCOM, and a member of the NYITCOM Virtual Reality in Medicine Interest Group. Williams also serves as the STEM chair for the Glen Cove Industrial Advisory Board, and recently retired from her elected position as VP of Programs on the Board of Directors for The Project Management Institute's Long Island Chapter.
Williams is a scientist and advocate who delights in collaborating with others for a common goal. Her wish is that we all rise together, save the planet for future generations, and live peacefully—having a goal that is greater and more impactful than greed.
Williams received her Master of Science in Environmental Technology and Sustainability from New York Institute of Technology in 2018, her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from SUNY Stony Brook School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in 2009, and her Bachelor of Science in Management and Communications from Adelphi in 1998. She received her Certification in Project Management in 2012.
Recent Projects and Research
- Developed an Overarching Online Academy with her colleague from New York Tech Technology-Based Learning Systems (TBLS) in order for the STEP scholars to continue with their programs during COVID-19 restrictions.
- Partnered with Albany Medical College STEP to develop a summer program, flipping the classroom, where scholars learn about hospital management through "Two Points Hospital" video game, and then come together as a government panel to deal with a pandemic, learning from Subject Matter Experts at each of the medical schools.
- Worked with ARABTC to create Anti-Racial Anti-Bias training sessions for the Administrators of the STEP/CSTEP programs across New York State in order to incorporate this training for the scholar sessions.
- Restructured the Long Island STEM Diversity Summit inviting almost 1,000 underserved middle and high school students from the tri-state area to Farmingdale State College for a day of STEM inspiration from local universities, organizations, and industry partners.
Selected Publications
- Lead Researcher for the Ocean and Coastal Conservation Guide for Blue Frontier Organization, now an online database for the organization.
- Helped write "50 Ways to Save The Ocean" a book, by David Helvarg, geared toward youth, empowering them to become marine conservation stewards.
Professional Honors and Awards
- Presidential Excellence Team Award for Diversity in STEAM, Convocation, 2020
- APACS Presidential Excellence Award, APACS Conference 2019
- STEM Diversity Summit Award, in appreciation of untiring efforts, dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work in organizing the Summit, 2018
- Exemplary Performance Award (STEP team), Student Administration, 2017
Outreach at New York Tech
- Glen Cove City School District, Glen Cove Industrial Advisory Board, Glen Cove Youth Bureau, Wyandanch Union Free School District, Westbury High School
- Invite a Girl to Engineering Day, Nassau and Suffolk County Girl Scouts, My Brother's Keeper, Legislator Kimberly Jean-Pierre STEM and Tech Week, NAACP, LGBT Network, Jack and Jill Foundation