Steven Williams

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

I was inspired to pursue a graduate degree because I see my research as existing at the nexus of economics, psychology, and education. After studying economics and business at Florida A&M University and then deepening my understanding of community psychology, I realized that education was the missing piece in my mission to help improve economic instability among communities. Florida State University’s PhD program in Educational Psychology offered an ideal environment to integrate these fields. Choosing FSU allowed me to build the expertise needed to design educational approaches that empower communities to leverage knowledge for sustainable growth and opportunity.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

My research focuses on entrepreneurial education and perceptions of entrepreneurial self-efficacy among millennials with college degrees. My previous preliminary research study examined wealth identity among millennials with college degrees, where I explored their early socialization experiences around wealth and investigated how their attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors shape their identities in wealth.

Career aspirations

I aspire to have a strong presence in research and in the community. I look to work with institutions where I can utilize my skills, training, and experiences to conduct research and practically provide action-oriented, research-informed, and full-service educational solutions to communities experiencing adverse challenges.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

My advice to other graduate students is to remain grounded and pace yourself through the challenges and opportunities of the graduate journey. Prioritize your health and well-being, because balance is essential to sustaining growth and productivity.

Accomplishments during graduate career

During graduate school, I am most proud of co-authoring two peer-reviewed articles and a book chapter, presenting at multiple research conferences, and successfully defending my preliminary study defense, all of which strengthened my identity as a scholar. I also conducted program evaluations for academic and community projects totaling over $2.6 million in funding, helping ensure their effectiveness, impact, and sustainability. These accomplishments are meaningful because they demonstrate my ability to bridge theory and practice while contributing knowledge that supports both academic and community advancement.