Dr. Horatius Jackie Williams
Horatius Jackie Williams, MS, MBA, JD, LLM, SJD, PhD
CIU President and Chancellor
Chair, Board of Trustees
Founder, President & Chancellor | Visionary Educator | Legal & International Development Expert
Dr. Horatius Jackie Williams is a distinguished scholar, educator, and legal expert, widely recognized as the founder, President, and Chancellor of Cavalla International University (CIU) . A visionary leader in higher education, Dr. Williams has shaped the institution’s mission since its inception, steering it toward becoming a globally respected and student-centered university.
Dr. Williams began his leadership journey at CIU as Provost and Chief Academic Officer from 2004 to 2010 , before being appointed Interim President in 2010 and formally confirmed as President and Chancellor by the CIU Board of Trustees in 2011. Under his strategic leadership, CIU has evolved into an internationally accredited institution offering diverse, flexible, and innovation-driven academic programs.
He is also a Professor at CIU Barclay College of Law , and holds concurrent faculty appointments at the School of Graduate Studies, Department of Business Management , and the Department of Education and Human Development , where he continues to mentor emerging leaders and scholars.
A pioneer of inclusive and progressive education models, Dr. Williams developed CIU’s core educational framework, rooted in student-centric learning, global academic community building, and real-world readiness . His unique academic model integrates creativity, theory, research, and practical application, preparing graduates for immediate impact in their fields. CIU now offers a suite of flexible learning paths, including live professor-led sessions, self-paced guided study, accelerated semesters, and traditional term-based systems—designed to accommodate learners across the globe.
Dr. Williams began his professional career as an engineer and educator , working with the African Development Bank in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire before transitioning into law and academia. He holds an impressive academic portfolio, including:
- Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration and Management
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Psychology
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- MBA
- Master of Science in Environmental Economics, Compliance, and Sustainability
He also holds numerous post-graduate certifications in specialized fields, further expanding his expertise.
As a multidisciplinary expert, Dr. Williams specializes in:
- University Educational Management & Development
- International Trade & Investment Law
- Taxation and Financial Services
- Anti-Money Laundering & Financial Crimes
- Business & Property Law
- International Law & Human Rights
- Environmental Education & Regulation
Beyond academia, Dr. Williams is the CEO of Cavalla Group , General Counsel of American International Tax Advisers , and Official Representative of Business Class Asia (Thailand Office) . He serves on numerous nonprofit and advisory boards, including:
- Africa Environmental Watch (Board Member)
- Wade & Shafic Abraham Foundation (Board Member)
- Global Advisory Council of GAFM (Hon. Global Advisor)
In 2024, under his leadership, CIU inaugurated its first physical campus in Monrovia, Liberia , approved by the National Commission of Higher Education of Liberia , along with an additional campus in Rivercess County . These developments mark a monumental step in expanding access to affordable and high-quality education across West Africa.
A Liberian-American and proud resident of Minnesota , Dr. Williams has studied at prestigious institutions including Concordia University , University of St. Thomas , Nova Southeastern University , Thomas Jefferson School of Law , and Cavalla International University —of which he is a proud alumnus and cornerstone.
A deeply principled and faith-driven leader, Dr. Williams is a devoted Bible reader and servant-leader, guided by a profound belief in the transformative power of education. His life’s mission is grounded in the conviction that education should be affordable, accessible, and globally relevant , and that it must be delivered through a balance of theory, practical learning, and Socratic engagement.
