Education 2025: WILLIAMS, LT. GEN. DARRELL K. (U.S. ARMY, RET.)

Williams served more than 37 years in the U.S. military and in 2022 became president of Hampton University, a private, historically Black university founded in 1868 — and Williams’ alma mater.

A retired Army lieutenant general, Williams was the first Black director of the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency, where he oversaw nine supply chains supporting the military and more than 25,000 military and civilian employees. After his retirement from the military in 2020, he served as vice president for government contractor Leidos’ U.K. operations. In December, Leidos announced a $750,000 donation to Hampton.

In May, Hampton University launched a new degree in aviation management and was recognized as an “Opportunity College” by Carnegie Classifications for successfully enrolling students who reflect the communities they serve and whose alumni go on to earn competitive wages compared to their peers.

Williams received master’s degrees from Pennsylvania State University, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College. The recipient of a Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit, Williams also led the Fort Lee Army post and the Army Combined Arms Support Command.

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