Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) announces the appointment of John N. Williams, DMD, MBA, as the Part-Time Director for Strategic Initiatives & Accreditation. Williams brings with him decades of experience as a leader in dental education and accreditation, including his role as Dean Emeritus and retired professor at the Indiana University School of Dentistry.
Williams extensive career includes serving as dean of the Indiana University School of Dentistry from 2010 to 2019, dean of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry from 2005 to 2010, and dean of the University of Louisville School of Dentistry from 1999 to 2005. His leadership and dedication to academic excellence were further highlighted during his tenure as President of Transylvania University in Lexington, KY, from 2019 to 2020.
In addition to his deanships, Williams has been an influential figure in national dental education policy. He served as vice president of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Council of Deans from 2009 to 2012 and as a commissioner for the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) from 2010 to 2014, chairing the organization during the 2013-2014 term.
"Dr. Williams’ expertise in dental education, leadership in accreditation, and strategic initiatives will provide invaluable guidance as we continue to build LMU-CDM as a national leader in dental education," said Interim Dean, Qi Wang," We are excited to welcome him to our team and look forward to the impact of his leadership on the development of our programs."
Williams earned his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree from the University of Louisville in 1980, following his bachelor's degree in biology from Transylvania University in 1974. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Louisville, awarded in 1987. His scholarly work includes expertise in dental practice management, oral health workforce, curriculum assessment, and the application of digital technologies in dental education. Williams is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and the International College of Dentists.
In his role at LMU-CDM, Williams will focus on advancing strategic initiatives, supporting accreditation efforts, and providing mentorship to faculty as the institution grows. Since 2023, he has also served as a national coach for the ADEA Council of Deans Fellowship program, providing leadership development to future dental education leaders. He continues to provide consulting services in dental education program creation, faculty recruitment, and accreditation processes as a senior consultant for the Academy of Academic Leadership (AAL) in Atlanta, GA.
Williams is a dedicated outdoorsman and an avid boater, having completed an impressive 6,047-mile circumnavigation of the U.S. inland waterways in 2021-22.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) is home to the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) and Dental Hygiene (DH) programs. It is located in Knoxville at the newly renovated LMU Tower. For more information about LMU-CDM programs contact, CollegeofDentalMedicine@LMUnet.edu.
