The Department of Communication Studies celebrates its Gorvetzian Family Speaker Series with alumnus Tracy Reneé Williams ’04 (’08 M.S.). The generous gift from Ken and Lori Gorvetzian allows the department to bring Communication Studies alumni to campus to share how they use their degree and their communication knowledge in their careers.
Williams returned to campus for a full day earlier this spring where she spoke in undergraduate and graduate classes throughout the day and delivered a keynote address in the evening. She shared with students about her leadership journey and how she leverages expertise in communication for companies and audiences worldwide.
“The Gorvetzian family has generously provided funds so that we can bring speakers to campus that appeal to our students and can provide students a broader
perspective on how they might use their degree after they graduate. Tracy Williams was a perfect example of this type of speaker. Through class visits, informal conversations, and a keynote address, Ms. Williams shared experiences from her career as an executive coach and leadership trainer, describing how students might be better prepared to lead in their careers following graduation,” said Johny Garner, Ph.D., this year’s faculty lead for the Gorvetzian Family Speaker Series.
Williams is a highly sought-after facilitator, coach, keynote speaker and founder of TraComm Development Group. Most recently, she designed and launched a membership-based peer community for over 300 Black professionals on track for executive business and cultural leadership roles at Valence Enterprises. In 2023, she was a TEDx Deep Ellum Official Speaker, where she debuted her talk Inked for (emp)ACT: The Journey to 7 Seconds. Williams also currently serves as the president of the TCU National Alumni Board.
The Gorvetzian Speaker Series was established in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication through the generosity of TCU parents Lori and Ken Gorvetzian in the spring of 2013. The inaugural event occurred in the spring of 2014. Learn more about last year’s speaker, Clint Sanders ’07.