Amy Williams, NACEP Executive Director

Amy Williams is passionate about bridging the complex intersections of college, high school, and career, working to unify these sectors for the benefit of young adults and the communities that will soon rely on them. Her work is grounded in the belief that every student deserves access to education and experiences that empower them to shape their own futures. Williams’ expertise is rooted in hands-on experience at every level—from the classroom to the campus, the research lab to the manufacturing floor, and the system office to the statehouse.

Williams began her professional career as a research and field scientist before transitioning into STEM education, curriculum development, and experiential learning. She gained firsthand instructional experience at the high school, middle school, and collegiate levels before stepping beyond the classroom to drive broader systemic change. She built a dual enrollment program at a small two-year college, then scaled that work regionally to expand offerings, increase access, and maximize impact. This success drew statewide attention and led to her appointment as State Director of Career & Technical Education and Dual Enrollment for Montana within the Montana University System’s Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education. In this role, she worked in close collaboration with the Governor’s Office to ensure that dual enrollment was a key strategy in helping meet the state’s educational goals.

Dubbed “Montana’s Dual Enrollment Czar” by Governor Steve Bullock, Williams led the program through a period of unprecedented growth—expanding student participation by more than 200% and increasing the number of high schools offering dual enrollment by 86% over five years. Her leadership focused on leveraging state and federal resources to expand access and affordability. She was instrumental in developing and implementing Credit-for-Credit, Montana’s teacher incentive program, and One-Two-Free, the state’s free dual enrollment tuition initiative. She also spearheaded the overhaul and modernization of Montana’s Career Pathways Program, led efforts to integrate education with business and industry through teacher externships, and championed equity in programming for rural and tribal school districts.

In 2019, Williams was named Executive Director of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP)—the first and only national organization dedicated to supporting dual and concurrent enrollment programs. With over 25 years of experience, NACEP has set the standard for program quality and best practices, serving as the nation’s sole accrediting body for dual and concurrent enrollment. Under Williams' leadership, NACEP has undergone a profound transformation, expanding its services, impact, and national footprint. Today, the organization continues to elevate and shape the national dialogue on dual enrollment access, quality, and impact.