Dr. RoDina L. Williams has made history as the first Black person in Illinois to earn a Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS).
A mother, advocate, and scholar, Williams recently received her DCLS from the University of Texas Medical Branch but says it was her time at Illinois State University (ISU) that set her on the path to success. She first stepped into higher education at ISU, earning two bachelor’s degrees — in kinesiology and recreation and medical laboratory science, according to Illinois State University News. She currently serves as director of health sciences–medical laboratory programs at City Colleges of Chicago.
“To stand as the first Black person in Illinois to have a Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science is a testament to every door our ancestors pushed open and every barrier we continue to dismantle,” Williams shared in an email to AFROTECH™. “This honor reminds me that representation isn’t just symbolic; it is a beacon. If my journey lights the path for even one person, then every challenge along the way was worth it.”
In an interview with her alma mater, ISU, three words Williams used to describe her journey were “challenging, rewarding, honored.”
She first attended the institution as a transfer student, lured in by its “outstanding kinesiology program” and the “unmatched support of its faculty and staff.”
“Illinois State truly shaped who I am as a person. It’s where I discovered my passion and love for research, appreciated the importance of mentorship, and gained the self-assurance to aim higher than I previously thought I could,” Williams said, per ISU.
She later pursued a second bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science in the Department of Health Sciences.
“MLS professionals use high-tech equipment to analyze patients’ blood, body fluids, tissue, and cells. The tests they perform are used to diagnose serious medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and much more. Their work and scientific expertise help healthcare providers decide the best course of action,” according to the university’s website.
Williams credits several professors for shaping her academic path, including Dr. Pete Smith in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation (KNR), who first introduced her to research, and Dr. Dale Brown, also of KNR, who showed her how using real-life experiences can make complex concepts memorable, ISU reports.
After enrolling in the MLS program, she also received guidance from Dr. Lori Woeste in the Department of Health Sciences, who helped her understand the ways in which specialties are linked within medical laboratory science, and Dr. Beverly Barham, who is a mentor and has continually encouraged her to pursue new opportunities in the field.
“My success is not only a reflection of my hard work but also a testament to the power of representation in a field where professionals of color remain significantly underrepresented,” Williams said, per ISU. “I see this as my opportunity to give back, to support, mentor, and advocate for younger students who want to work in STEM and healthcare.”
