Talithia Williams
Dr. Talithia Williams is a trailblazer and a passionate advocate for making science, technology, engineering and mathematics relevant and empowering for all. As an award-winning college professor, she brings statistics to life by demystifying complex mathematical concepts, making them accessible and exciting for students, parents, and educators. In her popular TED Talk, “Own Your Body’s Data”, Dr. Williams emphasizes the critical role of statistics in quantifying and understanding personal health information. She weaves humor and insight, urging us to embrace data as a powerful tool for wellness. Talithia authored the book “Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics”, celebrating the unsung heroines of the mathematical sciences and the challenges they faced diversifying the field. As the first black woman to achieve tenure at Harvey Mudd College, Dr. Williams has shattered barriers and paved the way for future generations. With an educational background that includes a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Spelman College, master’s degrees in both Mathematics from Howard University and Statistics from Rice University, and a Ph.D. in Statistics from Rice University, Dr. Williams embodies the fusion of scholarship and real-world impact.
In 2024, she was named a recipient of the prestigious Rice University Laureates Distinguished Alumni Award. Williams’s selection highlights her influential scholarship, her national leadership in statistics education, and her commitment to empowering underrepresented groups in mathematics and science. The Joint Policy Board for Mathematics, a collaborative effort of the American Mathematical Society, the American Statistical Association, the Mathematical Association of America, and Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, recognized Dr. Williams with their 2022 Communications Award for bringing mathematics and statistics into the homes and hands of millions through her work as a TV host, renowned speaker, and author. In 2015, she won the MAA’s Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching, which honors faculty members whose teaching is effective and extraordinary, and extends its influence beyond the classroom.
Dr. Williams graces our screens as the host of several PBS NOVA documentaries, including “Zero to Infinity” and “NOVA Wonders”. Through captivating storytelling, she explores the wonders of science and mathematics and their impact on our modern world. Talithia’s voice resonates behind the scenes as the narrator of several science documentary films, including “Hindenburg: The New Evidence”, “Our Beautiful Planet”, “Secrets in Our DNA” and the 5-part BBC NOVA series, “The Universe: Revealed”. She has held research appointments at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the National Security Agency (NSA), and NASA Johnson Space Center. She has partnered with the World Health Organization to develop a cataract model that predicts surgical rates in African countries. Her scholarly contributions, spanning over several years, have not only deepened our understanding of health disparities but also illuminated the intricate connections between data, science, and society.
Her passion for STEM advocacy extends beyond academia, as she actively encourages more women and African Americans to engage in engineering and scientific pursuits. Dr. Williams mission is to breathe life into mathematics. She dismantles stereotypes, rebranding the field as anything but dry, technical, or male-dominated. Through her outreach, she ignites curiosity, showing that math is a logical, productive career path crucial to the country’s future. Her infectious enthusiasm inspires curiosity and ignites a love for STEM disciplines. Faith and family round out a busy life that she shares with her husband Donald and three amazing boys, Josiah, Noah and Micaiah, all of whom infuse her life with joy and purpose.