ATLANTA, July 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has named Dr. Damon A. Williams as its new senior vice president of Program, Training & Youth Development Services. Williams joins BGCA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he served as vice provost and chief diversity officer, and on the faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.

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In his new role, Williams will lead national program strategy for BGCA's strategic outcome areas—Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles—with a focus on strengthening the Club experience at more than 4,000 locations that serve some 4 million young people annually.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Damon Williams as a senior leader in an extremely important position," said Jim Clark, president and CEO, BGCA. "Our Great Futures Impact Plan involves assuring success is within the reach of every child who walks through a Club door. Dr. Williams brings the expertise and innovative leadership that will empower BGCA to continue providing quality programming to help every Club member graduate with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship and living a healthy lifestyle."

Williams brings more than 16 years of experience in youth development, organizational design and strategic planning. His research contributions include authoring Strategic Diversity Leadership: Activating Change and Transformation in Higher Education and The Chief Diversity Officer: Strategy, Structure, and Change Management (with Dr. Katrina Wade-Golden). At UW-Madison, he was founding leader of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement (DDEEA), a group whose focus included youth development, academic excellence, access to higher education and expanding participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Williams also recently received the Inclusive Excellence Award for Leadership, presented by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, and the INROADS award for strategic partnerships.

"As an alumnus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dayton, Ohio where I was an active member for several years, this exciting opportunity gives me a chance to return to where my own 'great future' began. I look forward to working with the leadership and talented staff at BGCA to deliver youth development programming and training that affords the same opportunity to millions more young people," said Williams.

Williams received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan Center for the Study of Higher and Post-Secondary Education. He received both his M.A. and B.A. from Miami University in Ohio.

Williams succeeds retired senior vice president and 25-year BGCA veteran Judith J. Pickens. He will begin his new appointment on August 30.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America:
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs serve some 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.  

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America