When Miles K. Davis becomes Linfield’s 20th president, and the first African-American president in the institution’s 160-year history, he will bring an enthusiastic leadership style and an expansive worldview.
Davis, dean and George Edward Durell Chair of Management of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va., will begin his Linfield appointment July 1.
“From the moment I engaged with Linfield and the community, it has been a growing love affair,” said Davis. “From the Board of Trustees to the faculty, staff, coaches and administrators, Linfield College is an impressive group of people. It is Linfield’s students, though, who really stole my heart with their inquisitive and thoughtful questions. I am excited about becoming a part of this community of learners and scholars.”
At Shenandoah since 2001, Davis was the inaugural chair of the management science department at the Byrd School and became the founding director of its Institute for Entrepreneurship. He was named dean in 2012.
Davis is an authority on entrepreneurship whose most recent work focuses on integrity, values and principles in the business world, as well as faith-based entrepreneurship. He helps organizations manage cultural and structural changes, strategic planning, leadership development and strategic growth initiatives. Davis worked as a managing consultant and principal for information technology firm EDS Corp., and has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations and publicly traded companies.
Davis is the first college president to come out of The PhD Project, a network that helps members of underrepresented communities attain doctorates and become leaders in higher education.
“Linfield College, with its strong roots in the liberal arts and world-class professional programs, is meeting the needs of a dynamic world,” Davis said. “I am honored to be invited to help lead Linfield, as the college helps lead the region, country and world in connecting learning, life and community.”
– Christian Feuerstein
Quick facts:
• Ph.D., human and organizational sciences, The George Washington University
• M.A., human resource development, Bowie State University
• B.A., communications, Duquesne University
