Dr. Marcella Klein Williams is the Director of Project Acabado, an HSI Title III STEM grant initiative to enhance student participation, transfer articulation, and success in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

An accomplished leader, Dr. Klein Williams’ strengths include organizational development, systems design, and strategic partnerships. She has led an impressive career in both teaching and administration within the P-20 (Preschool through Graduate level) California education system over the last 26 years. Previously, she served as the Regional Director of the Ventura County Office of Education, as the Chief Education Officer for the California STEM Learning Network, as Director of Special Projects for Somis Union School District, and, most recently, as co-founder of and principal lead for Solve for Pattern, an educational consulting firm that links STEM teaching, learning and employment.   

Dr. Klein Williams is known for artfully and innovatively building connections between classrooms and communities. She has a successful track record in leading collaborative projects with educators, entrepreneurs and civic partners. She is a founding member of the Ventura County STEAM Regional Network and is the author of many successful grant proposals and sector publications, including the Clinton Global Initiative’s Commitment to Action: Ignition Points for the STEAM Generation.

Dr. William’s academic credentials include a doctorate in Educational Leadership from California Lutheran University, a master of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from California State University, Northridge, and a bachelor of arts in Liberal Studies also from CSUN. She currently serves as the President of the Channel Islands Foundation and also sits on the board of Two Bit Circus, an entrepreneurial tech, design and engineering firm. Dr. Klein is a native of Ventura County and enjoys spending free time with her family. She has four children, all of whom work within STEM fields along the California coast (she hopes that one moves into teaching at some point!).