Dr. Preston L. Williams, Jr. is the Superintendent of Schools for Urbana School District #116. He came to Urbana from Kankakee. He completed his undergraduate degree at Indiana State University as a double major in social science education and African American Studies with an emphasis on political science and U.S. History. He then began teaching in the special education area at an alternative education center, while receiving his S.E.D. (Social and Emotionally Disturbed) certification in night classes through Illinois State University and the National College of Education. He then received a job offer from Centennial High School to teach U.S. History and consumer education. Then he moved onto District 116, first to teach at UHS and then as an assistant principal at UMS. The next step in his career was a move over to Central Office. Preston and his wife, Ivy have two children. He received his Ed.D. in May 2000, focusing his dissertation on the history of desegregation of schools in Urbana.
Preston was featured in Difference Makers 2010: An eBlack Champaign-Urbana Publication.