UTICA — Scott K. Williams, 34 of New Hartford, is expecting his second child the first week of October, which is around the time he will receive his Accent on Excellence award.

Laughing, Williams said he could very well be rushing out of the awards ceremony to the hospital.

Williams, dean of students/placement at Utica School of Commerce, is receiving the Accent on Excellence award for his involvement in community service.

Williams was born and raised in New Hartford and graduated from New Hartford High School.

He then attended St. John Fisher College in Rochester where he received a bachelor’s degree in history, strategic, military, and diplomatic studies with a minor in political science.

Sandra Fentiman, director of alumni and media relations at USC and one of the people who nominated him for the award, said:

“He has a knack for getting along with people. This makes it easier for him to reach his goals in the community because working with others is important.”

She said many of the students who attend USC have families or jobs that put heavy stress on them. Williams interacts with them and helps them along toward reaching personal goals and their degrees.

“He has a great sense of humor,” said Fentiman.

Williams is the guy who comes into a quiet room and cracks a joke that gets the place laughing, Fentiman said.

These days Williams is busy.

Community service is a big part of Williams’ time. “It’s essential,” he said. “I have a vested interest with USC, and the success of downtown (Utica) goes hand in hand.”

He said he remembers the up and downs of Utica, especially the loss of people in the 90’s. “You can definitely feel the pinch when you have a large population decline.”

Williams said with the population decline also came the mass exodus of young people.

He is a member of the Genesis Group, an organization of young professionals trying to keep young people in Utica. Williams said he wants to get the message out that there is life after college in the Mohawk Valley.

He described his usual day beginning with meetings at the Greater Utica Sunrise Rotary Club or one of many boards and foundations he’s involved with. “I’m on so many boards, it keeps me hopping,” Williams said.

Williams said he tries to keep business at work when he goes home. He said there is a struggle to balance but sometimes the scales tip in either direction, home or work.

“It’s tough, the more you get involved with community service.” You see the same people at board meetings who are getting involved in everything and they ask you to join. “It’s difficult to say no,” Williams said.

When things get frustrating Williams said he lets off steam on the golf course. “Golf is one of my vices,” said Williams.

However, work isn’t all that bad.

Williams, who places alumni and graduating students from USC in jobs, said there is a 96 percent job placement rate.