Crystal Williams
As our 18th president, Crystal Williams leads RISD in advancing and amplifying the power of art and design in a changing world, and fostering a campus and community that centers equity and inclusion in all we are and do.
A forward-looking dream
“We are galvanized to create art and design spaces, classrooms, and practices that reflect the full breadth of human dynamism and a belief that what makes us distinct from one another is precisely our strength.”
— from President Williams’ October 7, 2022 inauguration address
A vision for teaching and learning
Informing President Williams’ work and leadership is her belief in RISD’s responsibility to amplify the talents of our students, and respond to their needs.
Select interviews
“Young creatives... have all the intelligence and ingenuity we need to solve our challenges and advance what is good, right and just among our species.” (Design Milk, Jun 30, 2023)
“The art world is becoming more inclusive. But as with all change there is much to do and a long way to go… ” (The Public’s Radio, Feb 2, 2023)
“We need all artists speaking with the fullness of their voice... . This is one of the ways we might be able to find our way back to one another.” (Rhode Island Monthly, Sep 19, 2022)
Community announcements
May 13, 2024
Clarification on the occupation of 20 Washington Place
Dear RISD Community,
I am writing to clarify some details regarding the occupation of 20 Washington Place last week. First, as I shared in an email on Thursday, May 9, students who occupied the academic space on the second floor of Washington Place will not be expelled. They exited the second floor in a timely manner and agreed to participate in a process centered on the principles of restorative justice. They were also given the option to exit in a timely manner, opt out of the above process, and be referred to the student conduct process for adjudication as outlined in the College's code of conduct. That option remains a possibility for any who now decides against fully participating in the deliberative process noted above. Expulsion, as I wrote then and repeat now, is not an option because they exited the floor in a timely manner.
Actions have consequences. Some community members have called for the abdication of any consequence for the 22 students who interrupted RISD's central educational project. Here, we disagree.
The interventions I proposed were in direct and sole relation to the interruption of others' learning, their refusal to allow students access to their materials, the negative impact of the occupation on more than two hundred students, and the significant damage to college property caused by their vandalism. No matter how sincere your beliefs, these behaviors at RISD are unacceptable and are against the code of conduct.
The people peacefully assembling outside—not impeding the learning of others through various means, not vandalizing property, not breaking myriad codes of conduct—continued to undertake their activities without our intervention. And that will remain the case should they continue to rally, gather, and protest.
Please be assured that senior leadership has received RSJP's demands. I have also now received other exhortations from some faculty and staff in support of not addressing the breaches to the student code of conduct and repeating the demands to which I responded on Tuesday, May 7, 2024; my responses remain unchanged. I have linked to that community email for reference.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
May 9, 2024
Update | 20 Washington Place
Dear Community,
20 Washington Place will be closed tomorrow, Friday, May 10. Mail Services, however, will remain open and accessible via Steeple Street during business hours.
All other business services and administrative offices will move online as possible. Classes will continue to be held at alternative locations.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
May 9, 2024
Washington Place update
Dear RISD Community,
The students who were occupying the second floor have vacated the building.
Public Safety and Facilities staff members were in the building and ensured that everyone safely exited the building. Washington Place is now closed.
Our focus is now on enabling students with work in the building to retrieve it and then to conduct a restorative justice process to restore the space and address the harm that was done.
From the start of this situation, I have affirmed that peaceful protest, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression are the bedrock of our art and design community. We continue to respect and uphold these values.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
Get to know RISD
Learn what drives all we do—as an institution and an engaged creative community.
See how our current creative practices respond to the critical social, political and environmental challenges we face today.
Look back at how RISD’s commitment to art and design education has evolved since our 1877 founding.