Faculty of the Week: Liza Williams

By CARLY CANSECO, ANGELA HE, WILLIAM INOUE, and ALLEGRA LAI

New Hampshire is one of the most scenic states, home to several beaches and beautiful trails, with Exeter being home to several. An avid enjoyer of nature, Instructor in History Liza Williams, usually seen in the Academy Building passionately discussing political economists or social issues in nations, often bikes and runs when her free time allows it.

Before her arrival at Exeter, Williams taught at George Washington University in Washington, DC. She also taught in the university honors program. However, many people are unaware of her previous experiences at Exeter. “20 years ago, I taught at Phillips Exeter as an intern and I was actually a George and Leslie Hume Teaching Fellow. That year, I taught history here at Exeter.” 

Williams’ teaching philosophy is rooted in this early experience at Exeter, where she first learned the value of the Harkness method at just 22 years old. “My first formal teaching experience was at Exeter,” she recalled. “I was mentored by Jack Herney, who showed me how to engage students around the Harkness table. Watching him work was profoundly inspirational.”

Harkness has shaped her approach to teaching, not only at Exeter but throughout her academic career. “Even in larger lecture halls with over 50 students, I’ve always tried to create an environment where students can respond to ideas and engage with one another,” Williams explained. 

She emphasized that there is something particularly special about the Harkness model. “At Exeter, students are aware that they’re speaking to each other, not just to me. This creates a dynamic and alive seminar culture that’s unique.”

“I’ve always been motivated by the mystery of research questions—figuring out how things really were in the past and uncovering the truth of affairs about people long gone,” she said. “At Exeter, I get to share that intellectual curiosity with students while learning from their unique perspectives, and that’s a privilege.”

Williams’ personal kindness and passion for history is contagious in the classroom. “She asks thought-provoking questions that challenge us to think critically and inquisitively about the topic at hand, even during assemblies,” upper Sophie Low said. “Dr. Williams is always fully engaged in Harkness and has a remarkable ability to bring the core of the reading to light by the end of each discussion. She has boosted my confidence to ask questions during class.”

“I remember that she had us play a game where each person was given three poker chips, and everytime they spoke they had to slide one to the middle of the table. It was meant to be an exercise to improve our Harkness, but everyone had a lot of fun. Dr. Williams also told us that we couldn’t leave class until everyone had used all their chips, so we ended up silently encouraging each other to share a point and use up any last poker chips,” upper Ava Nwaochei narrated. “I really enjoyed this activity and think every class at Exeter could benefit from it at the start of the term!”

“She always greeted us with a smile and asked about our day. During office hours, she would give me tips on how to strengthen my writing and present my evidence clearly. I really admired her love for the subject. It was clear that she not only loved the material, but also enjoyed having the opportunity to share it with us,” lower Alicia Medina added.  

Upper Meg Xu also emphasized Williams’ dedication to helping students cultivate their writing skills. “Since she was the first history teacher I had when I got to Exeter, she impacted my writing style a lot. She gave really helpful feedback, especially with my library project and taught me how to do research, especially in regards to how the history department expects students to write. And I think one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from her is to organize my writing.” 

But Williams’s involvement with Exeter reaches beyond the classroom. She is currently the dorm head of the newly-renovated Langdell Hall. When asked why she decided to take on this role, Williams said, “I think that it’s both interesting and exciting to see students develop and mature outside of the classroom. And because Exeter is so diverse, often a lot of residential work is kind of rooted and thinking about how to overcome differences of race and culture and nationality.”  

Williams has been instrumental in helping students adjust to their new home in Langdell. “I had a great interaction with [Dr. Williams] when we first got into the dorm and it was just everyone sort of exploring our actual living space. It was really fun to see how happy she was about it, and I think that really helped me be happy about it,” lower Simon Taylor said. 

“I think I look up to her for always having a positive outlook. I think it’s very hard to stay positive, especially when we had to stay in a hotel for a few weeks. And I think throughout the whole thing she was very positive and never thought of it very negatively,” Taylor added. 

Since her childhood, Williams had always maintained a strong appreciation for the natural world, and it continues to shape her free time at Exeter. Growing up just outside Portland, ME, she developed a strong connection to the ocean and the outdoors. “The beach was always close by, so I felt a real connection with the ocean,” she explained. 

That connection has carried over to her time in New Hampshire, where she often explores the natural beauty of the seacoast. “I love cycling, especially on the New Hampshire seacoast,” Williams shared. “I also enjoy body surfing, and one of my ambitions is to learn how to surf while I’m here.” 

Williams values the variety of outdoor opportunities in the area, from running on local trails to spending time at the rocky coastline of Odior Odio point. “That’s always fun to look for sea creatures there—I do that a lot with my two kids,” she said, highlighting how her love of nature ties into her family life.

While Williams holds special memories of the popular sandy beaches, she appreciates the quieter, less crowded coastal spots in New Hampshire. “I haven’t been to Salisbury yet, but I’ve heard it’s very secluded and not as busy as Hampton Beach,” she said. 

Whether pedaling along the New Hampshire coastline, on duty in Langdell, or engaging her classes in lively discussions about the latest readings on European History or Capitalism and Its Critics, Williams carries her unwavering passion, wisdom, and kindness everywhere she goes, inspiring the people around her and shaping the Exeter community.