UNC Asheville Names Mentoring Program in Memory of Former Program Director

From education majors to student athletes, from faculty to staff, the UNC Asheville campus community makes tutoring and mentoring the region’s young people a priority. One person in particular who embodied that long standing tradition of service was Roland B. Williams, former director of UNC Asheville’s CREED Youth Leadership Initiative, who died November 3. In honor and memory of Williams, the University’s Key Center for Service-Learning Mentoring Program will now bear his name.

“The University is pleased to name this program in honor of a man whose passion for children spoke to diversity, empowerment and advocacy,” said Don Locke, UNC Asheville director of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.

UNC Asheville’s CREED Youth Leadership Initiative, a four-year grant-funded program, focused on at-risk African American fourth grade males. The program helped teach Citizenship, Responsibility, Excellence, Empowerment and Dignity (CREED) in participants through mentoring, life skills training and emotional support. The CREED Youth Initiative served some 75 students from Asheville City and Buncombe County public schools.

“Rollie Williams committed his life to the development of young people,” said Jim Pitts, UNC Asheville sociology professor and a longtime friend of Williams. “He loved and inspired children and their families, and he inspired a similar feeling among those who were privileged to work with him at UNC Asheville and Asheville City Schools.”

The Key Center’s Mentoring Program takes the concept of mentoring into the community and is thus a fitting tribute to Williams, said Locke. UNC Asheville’s Key Center for Service-Learning directly links community service with students’ academic experience. Last academic year, some 1,000 students completed more than 15,000 hours of service to schools and non-profit organizations.

A native of Brockton, Mass., Williams was a resident of Asheville for nine years. In addition to directing the CREED Youth Initiative, Williams served on the Jones Elementary School Planning and Management Team and Comer Parent Team. He was also involved with Partners Unlimited Inc., a community-based mentoring and tutoring program at the W.C. Reid Community Center. Williams was working toward a bachelor's degree at UNC Asheville at the time of his death.

Media Contact:

• UNC Asheville Public Information Office, 828/251-6526