Freddie E. Wills, Jr., Ph.D. is a higher education professional knowledgeable about theories and practices that meet at the intersection of secondary and post-secondary education. Dr. Wills serves as the Vice President for STEM Initiatives and Research Partnerships at Harris-Stowe State University. In this capacity, he works to develop and implement institutional partnerships that advance HSSU’s STEM agenda and support student success. In addition, serving as a Principal Investigator, Dr. Wills provides leadership for the operation of three National Science Foundation grants awarded to HSSU. Dr. Wills is a visionary leader, who is passionate about student development, organizational culture and structure, diversity & inclusion, and excellence in academics. Dr. Wills holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications (Southwest Baptist University), a Master of Arts degree in Media Communication (Webster University), and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Saint Louis University.