Two High-Ranking Women at Major Universities Have Retired

Barbara Presnall was named professor emerita of government at Texas Woman’s University. Her research interests have focused on political socialization and women in politics.

Professor Presnall earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at George Washington University in the nation’s capital. She holds a Ph.D. from American University in Washington, D.C.

Linda Williams, associate chancellor and chief ethics, risk and compliance officer at the University of California Berkeley, has retired. She joined the University of California System in 1988 as an administrative assistant. Nine years later, she was appointed associate chancellor of the San Diego campus.

Over her 27-year career at the university, she served in many positions. From 2003 to 2008, she was associate president for the University of California System. Also, she served as the inaugural chair of both the UC Systemwide Staff Diversity Council and the UC Systemwide Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.