Helen Easterling Williams, EdD, is the dean of Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP). Williams, a lifelong educator, has served three decades in higher education leadership. Prior to assuming her role at GSEP in August 2014, Williams was the president of Health Education & Welfare International, a firm that provides consultative services designed to improve the health, education, and welfare of individuals, faith-based organizations, higher education institutions, and elementary and secondary educational organizations.

Williams earned her bachelor’s degree in speech correction with a minor in biology from Jersey City State College, a master’s degree in speech and language pathology from Towson State University in Maryland, and a doctorate of education degree in educational leadership at the University of Delaware. She has written articles and presented on topics such as K-12 education, international education, technology, and technology integration for teacher candidates. She is an American Council on Education Fellow (2004-2005) and a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc.  She is also an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church serving presently at First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles, California. Rev. Dr. Helen Easterling Williams is the mother of two daughters (Shawniqua T. Williams, MD and Camille Marie Evans, Esq.), the proud grandmother of Joseph, Joshua, and Joelle, and a beloved mentor to countless young men and women throughout the world.