Claudine-Lonjé A. Williams, LMSW believes that every student has the potential to succeed and therefore strives to facilitate a positive environment where students diligently persevere to achieve excellence. Starting from an asset-based perspective allows her to challenge stereotypes and societal assumptions to engage with students on their own terms. As a first-generation student herself, she is familiar with the obstacles of navigating the educational landscape and seeks to remove barriers, provide support, encouragement and cultivate resilience.
Claudine-Lonjé has extensive experience working with students from Kindergarten through graduate-level studies. A passionate educator and facilitator, she helped to coordinate the Master’s Practicum process in Higher Education in the School of Education (SoE) here at Syracuse University (SU), including teaching the Internship Seminar Course and she is a Lead Instructor for First Year Seminar (FYS) 101 which aims to educate students about the importance and complexities of all students feeling valued, respected and included on campus. Claudine-Lonjé is also a doctoral candidate in the School of Education. Her research focus is centered around Black women undergraduate students and how they make meaning of their unique experiences navigating predominantly White institutions.
In addition to her academic and programmatic contributions, Claudine-Lonjé has consulted as a licensed adoption social worker and collaborated with the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED). She currently volunteers as an educational support to Syracuse City District Schools’ (SCDS) students and teachers with Book Buddies through the United Way of CNY. It creates an opportunity for her to be a reading partner with young readers, empowering them to build their confidence in reading and inspiring a love of learning.