Dilafruz Williams is Professor of Educational Policy, Foundations, and Administrative Studies in the Graduate School of Education and also s professor of public administration in the Mark O’ Hatfield School of Government, at Portland State University.

Dr. Williams co-founded the Environmental Middle School – now called Sunnyside Environmental School – in the Portland Public School District. She was elected to the Portland Public School board in July 2003 and is currently the board's president-elect.

Dr. Williams' scholarship and areas of interest have long been community and environmental engagement, democracy, and civic education. She has degrees in public administration, botany, and philosophy of education. In addition to her work in higher education, she has taught biology and mathematics in grades 6-12.

A recipient of the prestigious Ehrlich Award for Faculty Service-Learning, Dr. Williams has authored several articles and chapters dealing with service-learning, civic engagement, environmental education, and holistic education. She has also co-edited a book entitled: Ecological Education in Action: On Weaving Education, Culture, and the Environment (SUNY Press). She is a graduate of Harvard, Syracuse, and Bombay Universities.

Dr. Williams finds much pleasure in gardening, traveling, nature poetry, and being politically active in the community. She also serves on local, regional, and national advisory boards and provides leadership in a number of professional organizations.

Dilafruz Williams, PhD
Portland State University
Graduate School of Education
PO Box 751
615 SW Harrison
Room: 506W
Portland, OR 97207-0751
Phone: 503-25-4676
Fax: 503-725-3200
Email: williamsdi@pdx.edu