Welcome to the Team, Dr. TaQuana Williams!

CollegeSpring shares the exciting news that Dr. TaQuana Williams has joined the team as Managing Director of Program Impact. Based in Houston, TaQuana brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as an Academic Director at The New Teacher Project (TNTP), where she consulted with school districts nationwide to address various academic needs. Prior to TNTP, she served as a Director at Teach for America, overseeing the corps member experience from onboarding through alumni engagement. However, her favorite role remains her time as a Middle School ELA teacher.

Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, TaQuana is a proud alumna of Howard University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and graphic design. TaQuana also holds two master’s degrees and a doctorate in education from Johns Hopkins University.

Learn more about TaQuana and why she is passionate about CollegeSpring’s mission!

Tell us about yourself and what makes TaQuana tick!

I’m a lifelong educator with a deep commitment to educational equity. I began my career as a Middle School ELA teacher, and even as I’ve transitioned into leadership roles in several education non-profits, the classroom remains at the core of my mission. I’ve always worked with communities that reflect my own, and I’m driven by a passion to ensure every student, regardless of background, has access to quality learning experiences. I truly believe education is the greatest equalizer, and I strive to create opportunities for students to unlock their full potential.

Why are you passionate about CollegeSpring’s mission?

CollegeSpring’s mission resonates deeply with me because it focuses on providing underrepresented students with the tools they need to succeed on standardized tests. I know firsthand how access to resources can level the playing field. Growing up in Petersburg, Virginia, my mother, an educator herself, realized early on that our local school system wasn’t providing me the support I needed to thrive. We moved to Virginia Beach, where I gained access to opportunities that changed my life. That experience made me passionate about breaking down barriers and ensuring students like me have the resources they need to achieve their dreams.

What role have tests played in your life (positively or negatively)?

Tests have been a double-edged sword for me. On one hand, they were a gateway to scholarships and academic opportunities. My success on standardized tests led to a Gates Millennium Scholarship, funding my education at Howard University and enabling me to pursue three advanced degrees at Johns Hopkins.  On the other hand, I’ve seen how standardized tests can be limiting and unfair for many of the students I’ve served. Many of my students did not have the appropriate resources to understand, yet alone master the standardized tests they were required to take. Thus, despite their brilliance, they were limited by their test scores. That’s why I’m passionate about advocating for more equitable testing practices, and why CollegeSpring’s mission to provide support to students facing these barriers resonates with me.

Do you have any special hobbies or interests?

My friends joke that I have more hobbies than anyone they know!  I love spending my free time being creative! Graphic design has been a passion of mine since college, and I enjoy blending art and technology to create designs. So, you can usually find me making gifts with my Cricut or starting a new DIY project. I’m also a Lego collector and find comfort building my Lego sets. For my newest hobby, I’ve taken up golfing. While I wouldn’t join the LPGA Tour anytime soon, it’s been a fun new challenge. Finally, staying connected to my community is important to me, so I make it a point to support local and community-based initiatives in Houston whenever I can.