William Ross, Jr., Ed. D is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Dr. Ross received a BS degree in Education from Winston-Salem State University, a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of South Carolina and the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Ross has completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Florida, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Anderson School of Management at UCLA, and Harvard University. He is certified as an external facilitator in strategic planning by the National Strategic Planning Center of Education.

Dr. Ross is the President/Owner of L&R Consultants where he provides consultative services to organizations on building equitable environments by providing training in human resources development, public relations, civil rights compliance, grant writing, board and resources development and diversity and inclusion.  Dr. Ross currently serves as Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, South Carolina.  For more than 10 years, Dr. Ross served as Professor of Educational Leadership in the Graduate School of South Carolina State University at the University Center in Greenville, South Carolina. He has also worked as Director of Graduate Regional Extended Studies at the University of South Carolina, a superintendent of schools, an assistant superintendent for administration, an elementary/middle school principal, Coordinator of Call Me MISTER Program and Executive Director/CEO of a large community action non-profit organization.

Dr. Ross has received many honors and awards for his leadership skills and community outreach/participation. In February 2016 he was recognized by WSPA TV in Spartanburg, South Carolina as A Community GEM for his support of youth and educational initiatives. In November 2015 he was named Spartanburg County Citizen of the Year.  Other awards and honors have included the 2011 Administrator of the Year for the South Carolina Association of Community Action Partnership, S.C. Principal Incentive Reward Winner, Omega Man of the Year Wofford College, South Carolina Outstanding Superintendent of the Year, and Epsilon Nu Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Omega Man of the Year. 

Dr. Ross is a life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. with over 40 years of active fraternal membership and service. In the Epsilon Nu chapter, he has served as the Basileus, Vice Basileus, Assistant KRS, Mardi Chairman, and Chapter Reporter. He serves as the undergraduate advisor at Alpha Delta Tau Chapter at the University of South Carolina Upstate and the Tau Delta Chapter at Wofford College.  Dr. Ross is a member of the Omegas of Spartanburg a 501 3 c charitable organization where he serves as the principal grant writer.

Dr. Ross is an active member of Wyatts’ Chapel Baptist Church in Buffalo, South Carolina where he serves as a Deacon, Superintendent of Sunday School and Director of Church Ministries.