Kimberley Williams
Kenan-Flagler Business School
University of North Carolina
“Dr. Williams is known not only for her outstanding instruction, but also for her relentless drive to keep innovating. She brings communication to life through experiential methods, connects learning to global challenges, and models for her students what it means to be a lifelong learner.
“Through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), she has led UNC students in joint projects with peers at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Kansai University in Japan. Together, they explore the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while gaining cross-cultural insights through workshops on Malaysian language, culture, and business. Students consistently describe the course as “life-changing,” highlighting its impact on their ability to collaborate across cultures.
“Students consistently describe Dr. Williams’ classes as both demanding and rewarding. She brings contagious energy and continuous innovation to the classroom and designs every assignment, case, and discussion to spark deep engagement. Her teaching is not about information transfer; it’s about transformation. She builds accuracy and adaptability—skills that matter just as much in boardrooms as they do in cross-cultural interactions.” – Shimul Melwani, Professor of Organizational Behavior and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Business Programs
Kimberley Williams, 37, is an Assistant Professor of Management and Corporate Communication at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, where she teaches managerial communication, personal branding, global workplace communication, and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) based intercultural collaboration. She is widely recognized for designing transformative learning experiences that blend strategic communication, global engagement, and digital innovation, preparing students to communicate with clarity, cultural intelligence, and professional confidence in modern business environments.
A scholar-practitioner, Williams’ research explores student engagement, instructional design, and the evolving role of generative AI as a co-creator of knowledge in business education. Her forthcoming study Student Voices on AI (2025) investigates how undergraduate business students use and perceive generative AI tools, offering insights into the future of learning, teaching presence, and ethical integration of AI in higher education.
Her innovative approaches to pedagogy have earned her multiple competitive awards, including the CFE/Lenovo Instructional Innovation Grant, the UNC/Adobe Communicating Research Grant, the UNC Global Affairs COIL Curriculum Development Award (2024, 2025), and the CFE Learning Assessment & AI Institute Award. In 2025–26, she is serving as a UNC Global Affairs COIL Faculty Fellow, advancing globally networked learning, and building sustainable partnerships that connect students across cultures and continents.
Williams is a frequent contributor to national and international academic communities. She has presented her work at the Association for Business Communication (ABC), the International Virtual Education Conference (IVEC), the International Conference on e-Learning and Innovative Pedagogies, and UNC’s Learning & Technology Symposium. Her teaching and research emphasize the use of COIL, digital storytelling, GroupMe communities, Padlet, AI tools, and third-space technologies to reimagine student engagement and global collaboration.
Before entering academia, Williams competed professionally with Puma International as a world-ranked hurdler. She is a 2015 Beijing World Championships semifinalist, a 2015 Pan American Games finalist, a two-time SEC Champion, and an NCAA All-American, achievements that continue to inspire her teaching philosophy: “The elevation of self comes through discipline.”
BACKGROUND
At the current institution since what year? – 2022
Education: University of Alabama: B.A. International Studies, M.A. Communication Studies, PhD Higher Education Administration
List of Undergraduate courses you teach: Management and Corporate Communication, Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace, Personal Branding and Professional Relationships, Business in Asia
TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when… I served as a TA for a public speaking course during my master’s program. I loved the preparation, the performance of teaching, and—most of all—the “aha” moments created in the classroom. That summer teaching experience ignited my passion for this work, and I’ve remained excited and energized by teaching ever since.
What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? – I am conducting a qualitative study that examines how students use and perceive AI chatbots in their learning. The most significant discovery so far is that students are navigating a clear “learning versus grades” dilemma. They want to engage and learn deeply, but they also feel pressure to use AI in ways that are focused primarily on “getting the grade.” This tension reveals the need for clearer guidance, intentional assignment design, and open conversations about how AI can support, not replace, authentic learning.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I would be a lawyer focused on contracts and negotiation. As a former professional athlete, I found the contract process daunting and craved clarity, structure, and clearly defined rules. That experience sparked my interest in the legal and strategic side of professional agreements.
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? – My ability to connect course content to relevant, real-world examples that show students how the concepts directly apply to their future careers. I focus on making learning practical, meaningful, and immediately transferable.
One word that describes my first time teaching: Hopeful
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: I wish someone would’ve told me that the most important part of teaching isn’t just covering the content, it’s cultivating genuine connection. I’ve learned that my presence, the way I relate to students, and the way I show that their ideas matter are what truly make the classroom come alive. Creating that sense of value and belonging is absolute gold in the learning experience.
Professor I most admire and why: Dr. Alexa Chilcutt, her ability to make content relatable and relevant in the classroom is truly inspiring, and she continues to be both a mentor and a friend to this day.
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? – Business students are always up for a challenge and eager to explore new ideas, perspectives, and pathways to understand what it means to lead and succeed. The former athlete in me resonates with their drive and determination, and it motivates me to create and deliver content that supports their growth and helps them reach their full potential.
What is most challenging? Their need for perfection without giving themselves grace or space to grow. I want students to embrace mistakes, learn from challenges, and celebrate the triumphs along the way.
In one word, describe your favorite type of student: Curious
In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: Stubborn
When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as … Firm but fair. I set clear expectations and hold students accountable, while also providing support and thoughtful feedback to help them grow.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies? Running and weigh-lifting
How will you spend your summer? For the entire summer, I will be on the beach eating a brown stew, snapper fish, because I am a sun goddess
Favorite place(s) to vacation: Jamaica
Favorite book(s): “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell, “48 Laws of Power “ by Robert Green, “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? – My current favorite films and shows are “The Rainmaker”, “Mayor of Kingstown”, and “Shogun”. “The Rainmaker” appeals to my longstanding interest in law, contracts, and negotiation. As a former professional athlete who once found the contract process daunting, I’m drawn to stories where clarity, advocacy, and well-crafted arguments shape the outcome. “Mayor of Kingstown” captures the intensity of leadership under pressure and the challenge of making decisions in high-stakes environments, something that aligns with the resilience and mental toughness I developed through athletics and now bring to the classroom. And “Shogun”, with its focus on discipline, honor, cultural intelligence, and strategic thinking, speaks directly to both my athletic background and my passion for global communication and intercultural collaboration. Together, these stories reflect the values that shaped my journey: preparation, precision, resilience, and the ability to lead with clarity in complex situations.
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? Reggae because reggae rules the world. Reggae has a grounding energy that reminds me to slow down, stay centered, and embrace the moment. It’s music with soul, purpose, and cultural depth, and it always puts me in a positive, reflective headspace.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this …The business school of the future would center on global collaboration, technology-enhanced learning, and human-centered communication. I imagine a learning environment where students not only build strong professional skills but also learn to connect across cultures through COIL partnerships, international teamwork, and meaningful intercultural dialogue. The classroom of the future should blur traditional boundaries, linking students across time zones, technologies, and perspectives. Ultimately, the business school of the future would function as a living ecosystem of collaboration, reflection, and purpose, where intercultural understanding and digital fluency shape the next generation of ethical, globally minded leaders.
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at …In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at cultivating cultural intelligence, emotional awareness, and the ethical use of technology. Too often, organizations focus solely on performance metrics and efficiency, overlooking the importance of empathy, connection, and communication across diverse perspectives. In a world where teams are increasingly international and virtual, success depends on building trust and communicating effectively across cultures. As workplaces become more global and digitally connected, these competencies are no longer “soft skills,” they are essential capabilities for innovation, leadership, and long-term impact. Organizations that invest in understanding people, bridging cultural perspectives, and leveraging technology responsibly will be the ones that create supportive environments, make better decisions, and effectively lead the future.
I’m grateful for …I am grateful for the space to grow, learn, and share my ideas with students and colleagues who support my ambitious spirit. Thank you to UNC, my students, and my colleagues for providing an environment that encourages growth, creativity, and meaningful connection.
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