Antonio Dill-Word is the Assistant Director for the Student Center for Inclusive Excellence at William & Mary, where he leads initiatives that promote belonging, equity, and student flourishing. A former foster youth who experienced fourteen different placements before being adopted at sixteen, Antonio’s personal journey fuels his deep commitment to improving outcomes for youth in care.
He has devoted his career to advancing research and advocacy centered on foster youth well-being, most notably developing the Integrated Positive Development Model of Aging-In (IPDM-AI)—a comprehensive, research-based framework that supports foster youth transitioning into adulthood. His work emphasizes belonging, mentorship, and systems of community support that promote thriving after emancipation.
Antonio’s efforts have helped secure over $1 million in state funding for foster youth programming, and his leadership continues to bridge academia, policy, and practice to create lasting, equitable impact.
