RoDina Williams becomes the first Black Illinoisan to earn a doctorate in clinical laboratory sciences

When Dr. As RoDina L. Williams looks back on her academic beginnings at Illinois State University, she remembers a place that nurtured her ambition and helped define her purpose. In an interview with Illinois State University on November 19, Williams said opened about her journey. Now recognized as the first Black person in Illinois to earn a Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DCLS), Williams has built a career that combines rigorous research, teaching and an unwavering commitment to expanding representation in her field.

“Illinois State has really shaped who I am as a person,” she said. “It was here that I discovered my passion and love for research, appreciated the importance of mentorship, and gained the confidence to aim higher than I previously thought I could.”

Williams began her journey as a transfer student, drawn by the university’s strong kinesiology program and the continued support she felt from the faculty. The sense of community remained so strong that she later returned to complete a second bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory sciences. “When I came back, I found the same sense of community and purpose,” she recalls. “That steadfastness said a lot about the kind of place ISU is.”

During her studies, faculty members played a crucial role in shaping her academic path. She calls Dr. Pete Smith of the School of Kinesiology and Recreation was the first person to introduce her to formal research. Dr. Dale Brown, she said, helped her understand how connecting lessons to lived experiences made learning “easier to learn and more memorable.” She even jokes that she “borrowed” his teaching style because it resonated with her and her students.

Her transition into medical laboratory science provided a new layer of mentorship. Williams says Dr. Lori Woeste helped her understand the interconnectedness of the field’s many subspecialties. And dr. Beverly Barham, a long-standing mentor, continually encouraged her to pursue opportunities that helped her advance in the field.

Earning her DCLS degree became both a milestone and a responsibility. “It means a lot to me to be the first Black person in Illinois to receive a doctorate in clinical laboratory sciences,” she said. She emphasizes that the achievement goes beyond personal achievements: it is about making room for young scientists who rarely see themselves reflected in laboratory medicine. “There are still very few Black professionals, and that lack of representation can make it difficult for students of color to see themselves in the field. So for me, getting this degree was about opening doors and showing what is possible.”

Williams sees mentorship as central to her mission. “My success is not only a reflection of my hard work, but also a testament to the power of representation in a field where professionals of color remain significantly underrepresented,” she said. Her involvement with the Illinois Black Colleagues Association is one of the ways she continues to give back.

Outside of her academic and professional duties, she strives for balance as a scientist, mother and advocate. “I’ve learned that balance doesn’t always mean everything being perfectly equal; it means being present where I am,” she said. Her son, Kien John, keeps that perspective grounded. She laughs when her family reminds her that she doesn’t always have to be “Dr. Williams” – sometimes she just has to be RoDina.

Today, Williams directs medical laboratory programs at the City Colleges of Chicago, where he oversees educational, clinical and administrative activities. Asked to summarize her path, she chose three words: “Challenging, rewarding, honored.” And for her, Illinois State remains a cornerstone of that journey – a place that shaped her, supported her and paved the way for everything that followed.

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