Courtesy of GSU Communications
Grambling State University has announced the appointment of Adarian D. Williams as Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing, effective June 1, 2026.
The expanded role reflects the University’s continued focus on strengthening executive coordination, institutional messaging, strategic marketing, and brand alignment during a pivotal season for Grambling State University.
“As we continue to adapt and advance our operations, we are being intentional about aligning exceptional talent with institutional priorities,” said Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr., President of Grambling State University. “Adarian brings a rare combination of executive administration, public policy experience, communications insight, institutional knowledge, and creative discipline. His expanded role will help strengthen how we tell the Grambling State story, elevate the University’s impact, and align messaging across key audiences.”
Williams currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, where he has supported executive operations, high-priority institutional initiatives, policy research, stakeholder engagement, strategic coordination, and presidential communications. His work has included supporting student success initiatives, legislative engagement, institutional advocacy efforts, and the University’s presence at the State Capitol for events such as University of Louisiana System Day and HBCU Day. He has also supported the Thurgood Marshall College Fund SOAR HBCU Scholars initiative, now in its second year at Grambling State University.
“I am honored to continue serving Grambling State University in this expanded capacity,” said Williams. “This institution has shaped my journey as a student leader, alumnus, higher education professional, and artist. I look forward to supporting President Lemelle’s vision by helping advance a communications and marketing strategy that reflects the excellence, momentum, and impact of Grambling State. As we prepare to celebrate historic milestones, I am grateful for the opportunity to help elevate the stories of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and broader University community.”
A two-time Grambling State University alumnus, Williams has maintained a deep connection to the University through student leadership, institutional service, and higher education administration. As an undergraduate, he served as a two-term Student
Government Association President and as the student member of the Louisiana Board of Regents, experiences that helped shape his foundation in governance, advocacy, and institutional leadership.
Before beginning his career in higher education, Williams served in federal public service roles in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. He later served as Senior Manager of Congressional Relations at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, where he worked with congressional offices and supported strategic engagement with national leaders and public policy stakeholders.
Williams holds a Master of Public Policy and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music and Visual & Performing Arts from Grambling State University. His interdisciplinary background reflects a professional path shaped by administration, policy, communications, performance, and community engagement. A vocalist, actor, orator, and arts advocate, Williams’ creative experience strengthens his approach to storytelling, audience engagement, and mission-centered communication.
In his expanded role, Williams will continue serving as Deputy Chief of Staff while providing leadership and coordination across presidential and executive communications, internal communications, institutional messaging, brand alignment, strategic communications planning, marketing coordination, media-related communications, and communications priorities across key University units.
The appointment comes as Grambling State University prepares to celebrate historic milestones, including 125 years of Grambling State University and 100 years of Tiger Athletics and the World Famed Tiger Marching Band. Williams will support an intentional communications strategy around these milestone celebrations while helping strengthen the University’s marketing of academic programs, student success outcomes, research growth, alumni impact, community engagement, and institutional momentum.
As Grambling State University enters a defining season of visibility and impact, this expanded role will help ensure the University’s message remains clear, coordinated, compelling, and rooted in the spirit of Grambling State as it honors its history, promotes its academic future, and advances its institutional priorities.
