Gadsden, AL — Gadsden State Community College has announced the appointment of Dr. Dana Davis as the new Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Grants and Special Projects, effective April 14. Davis will oversee the College’s institutional effectiveness program, including strategic planning, evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives, while also leading the College’s grant-writing, grant management, and institutional research efforts.
Davis steps into the role following the retirement of Pam Johnson, who dedicated 30 years of service to Gadsden State before stepping down in March.
In her new role, Davis will support campus-wide decision-making by managing data analysis and institutional reporting, while also playing a key role in the administration of the College’s TRIO programs, which support students with educational services and opportunities.
“IE helps provide the data needed for sound decisions, helps guide the College through self-evaluation and study for continuous improvement, and supports the work of our TRIO grant programs,” Davis said.
A respected higher education professional with decades of experience, Davis has been a part of the Gadsden State family since 1998. Her career in higher education began in 1995 at Martin Methodist College in Tennessee, where she worked as an admissions counselor. She later served in roles at Jacksonville State University as a graduate student financial aid clerk and student counselor.
Davis holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Martin Methodist College, a master’s degree in Counselor Education from Jacksonville State University, and earned her doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama in 2010.
At Gadsden State, Davis has held numerous student services roles including admissions counselor, academic advisor, and acting director of Counseling and Advising. In 2018, she was promoted to director of the Advising and Retention Center, a role she held until her recent appointment.
With years of collaboration across campus departments, Davis is known for her team-oriented leadership style.
“I enjoy working as a team and in a team environment toward a common goal,” she said. “This style encourages collaboration and inclusivity. When individuals have a voice and assist in the decision-making, they have more buy-in while also helping them to develop skills for future roles.”
Though she recognizes the transition to Institutional Effectiveness as a new challenge, Davis is optimistic and confident in the team she is joining.
“I anticipate there may be a learning curve; however, the existing staff in IE and Grants are outstanding, many of whom I have worked directly or collaborated with for years,” she said. “I am so grateful and excited for the opportunity to join their team and be a part of the excellent work they do.”
Beyond her professional work, Davis has made a lasting impact on her community. She has volunteered with the United Way of Etowah County, earning the distinction of Loaned Executive of the Year in 2019. Her accolades also include the Staff Excellence to Service Award at Gadsden State and the Services to Students Award from the National Society of Leadership and Success Excellence. In 2019, she was inducted into the Martin Methodist College Sports Hall of Fame for her contributions as a student athletic trainer and assistant.
Davis has shared her expertise through presentations at state, regional, and national conferences, including the National Organization for Student Success and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. She is an active member of multiple professional groups, including the Alabama Community College System Advisor Group and the JSU Transfer Advisory Board.
She also plays an important role in institutional governance at Gadsden State, serving on the Margin of Excellence Committee, Title IX Committee, Curriculum Committee, and as team lead for DegreeWorks.
“Gadsden State is very much my home, professionally speaking,” Davis said. “We have truly great people who are kind, generous in spirit, and encouraging, both to students and to their colleagues. Every day we have an opportunity to make decisions and to impact students in a positive and life-changing way. That is a tremendous gift that I never want to take for granted.”
