Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XIII, Issue I - Spring 2019 | Page 18
FACULTY
PROFILE
M
EDDIE WILLIAMS
Professor Embraces Mission to Serve
ention the name, Eddie Williams, and the burning question
is, “Does he ever sleep?” The PHSC instructor covers
considerable ground networking with local agencies,
creating and attending events at each of PHSC’s five campuses,
teaching a full class load, managing a private practice, and more.
“Networking is extremely important in the human services field. I
strive to provide my students with many opportunities to connect
with organizations and agencies within the health services industry,”
said Eddie Williams, Ed.D, LMHC, NCC, MCAP, HS-BCPl, PHSC
assistant professor, human services. Williams leads by example
and networks through programs such as Leadership Hernando,
a community leadership program that he himself completed.
Additionally, Williams is the advisor for the National Alliance on
Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Human Services Clubs at the College.
One look at his credentials and you know Williams is no stranger
to hard work and the desire for knowledge. A native of Tampa, he
found role models very close to home—in his father, who worked
as a supervisor in a local phosphate company and his mother who
was a CNA for more than 40 years. “Education has always been
important to me,” said Williams, who is currently seeking a second
doctorate in social services. In 2011, Williams earned a doctorate in
education and in 2009, his master’s in mental health counseling—
both from Nova Southeastern University. In 2001, he received his
Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of South Florida.
Williams’ PHSC career began in 2012 when he was hired as an
adjunct instructor to teach a substance abuse counseling course
at the Spring Hill Campus. In 2015, he was selected to a full-time
faculty position and in 2018, he became an assistant professor of
human services.
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PHSC Perspective
“There are several helping professions you can pursue that are
considered within the industry: counseling, social work, psychology,
and nursing/psychiatry,” said Williams. “The more educated I am,
the better it is for my students.”
Williams provides his students with invaluable insight gained
through experience. He spent eight years working at Westbridge
in Brooksville, a mental health facility, as a counselor and inpatient
residential program manager before leaving to complete his
dissertation. While working on his dissertation, Williams held a
position at Tampa Community Hospital in their inpatient unit. He
also is a licensed mental health counselor in Florida and a Master’s
Level Certified Addiction Professional with his own private practice
in Land O’ Lakes.
Additionally, Williams is a qualified counselor supervisor for social
workers and counselor for master’s level and doctoral students who
are pursuing licensure in the state of Florida. “I hold required weekly
meetings with each student to discuss strategy, values, challenges,
and ethical topics while helping students prepare for the state
licensure exam,” said Williams.
When discovering the many hats Williams wears, it is no surprise
that he does cross-fit training and runs 5Ks and half marathons.
When asked how he balances it all and finds time to sleep, Williams
said, “My students and their education are my priority—after that,
planning and prioritizing helps everything else fall into place.”
Eddie Williams participating in Leadership
Hernando program activities.