Dr Micki Davis is the Director of Student Success and Retention at the University of the Cumberlands. In this role, she supports on-campus undergraduate students. She has worked in various higher education roles. Dr. Davis also served in leadership positions with multiple non-profit organizations. She served on the Board of Directors of the YWCA Central Massachusetts from 2006-2018, including as President for two years. She is also a certified yoga instructor. Dr. Davis has an Ed.D. from Northeastern University in Organizational Leadership, a Masters in Public Administration from Clark University, and an undergraduate degree in history from Hollins University.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Higher Education Digest, Dr Davis shared her professional trajectory, insights on the role of technology in supporting student success, the secret sauce behind her success, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Micki. What inspired you to pursue a career in higher education administration?
After graduating from college, I joined AmeriCorps and served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA with Campus Compact. Through this program, I was placed at a college in Massachusetts and helped support their service-learning and community service programs. I ended up spending three years as a VISTA supporting community engagement in higher education. I fell in love with this work and really enjoyed working with college students. After AmeriCorps, I applied for jobs in the community engagement field in higher education. That is how my career in higher education started, and over time, my roles, responsibilities, and interests broadened to include more career and academic advising work.
What do you love the most about your current role?
I love that the University of the Cumberlands focuses on supporting students from this region. I grew up in Southeastern Kentucky and feel a strong sense of purpose and pride in working with students from the area. I understand the community, the opportunities, as well as the struggles that many of our students face. I want to see more individuals believe that going to college and earning a degree are pathways that are within their grasp, not something that’s too far out of reach or only for certain people. And while they are here, I get the privilege of supporting them on that journey. Sometimes, they need a cheerleader, and sometimes, a little tough love is needed. Nothing brings me more joy in my job than seeing our students be successful and get closer to finding their own purpose and path in this world.
What do you believe are the most significant challenges facing undergraduate students today and how can we overcome them?
College students face many challenges in today’s world. They can struggle with the financial and/or personal challenges that determine whether they can afford to attend to even questioning whether obtaining a college degree would benefit them. Many students now try to be full-time students and work full-time jobs, and some also feel a sense of fiscal responsibility to help their families. That’s a lot to handle and can be overwhelming. To help overcome those challenges, we must stay committed to showing the value of a college education and making college an affordable option. There is tremendous value in a college education, including career-focused benefits such as increased job opportunities and higher earning potential. But it also includes critical thinking skills, learning how to work as a team member, and increased communication skills that help in their academic and personal life.
What role do you think technology plays in supporting student success, and how have you leveraged technology in your work?
Technological developments have played a critical role in student success. We have a stronger capacity to communicate and connect with students, from emails to text messages. It allows us to better connect with students on platforms they utilize more frequently and are more likely to engage with and respond to us. Like many student success offices, we use technology to identify at-risk students through interim grades, final grades, and other identifying markers. Technology makes it much easier to do that and to share information when needed, with other departments. It has really enhanced our ability to work as a team and share information to act in a more timely manner.
How do you stay current with the best practices and trends in student success and retention?
It’s easy to get caught up in the daily tasks of our jobs and lose sight of the bigger picture; however, it’s important to take time and check in on what’s happening in the higher ed landscape and see what other schools are doing. I’m on several listservs and I receive a few email digests that make it easy for me to read the headlines as I’m drinking my morning caffeine. I can save articles that interest me for when I have more time to read. I got out of the habit of regularly attending conferences during COVID-19, but I’m trying to make that a regular part of my own professional development again.
What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion? How important is it to have authentic conversations with leaders, professionals, and changemakers to create more acceptance across the globe?
These conversations are very important. Increasing access to quality education for everyone is something I care about deeply. Access to an affordable, quality education should not be something that’s determined by where you grow up, your skin color, or gender.
You were recently recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Kentucky for 2024. Our readers would love to know the secret sauce behind your success.
My success is built upon a lot of hard work and taking advantage of opportunities when they arise. I was never a person who had a mapped-out life plan when I was younger. While sometimes that seemed stressful, it allowed me the flexibility to say yes to things that interested me or excited me in my career journey. I was never afraid to raise my hand and say, “I can work on that.” Taking on projects that nobody else seemed to want allowed me to learn new skills, work with new people, and consistently have opportunities to prove myself. I also have had amazing colleagues in my professional journey, so I never felt like I was doing this work alone. And that matters. I’m part of a wonderful team, and we are all invested in this work. This collaborative nature pushes me to work smarter and keep looking for ways to better support our students.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
That’s a difficult question for me, as I have many people that I am eternally grateful for in my life. My family, friends, and coworkers have all shaped the person I am today. And I’m blessed to have had many strong female role models in my life that showed me it is okay to pursue an education, to venture away from where I grew up, and to stay true to myself. One of the best examples of this is Jeri Suarez. She was my teacher, mentor, and also served as a surrogate mom to me while I was an undergraduate student at Hollins University. Her commitment to students was inspiring, and she set a high bar for excellence in our work. I will always be grateful to have had the opportunity to see her in action and learn from her.
What is your biggest stress reliever?
I love practicing yoga and am a certified yoga instructor. Practicing yoga and meditation helps me focus and reset my energy. It has made such a big difference in my life. And one of the best perks about living in Southeastern Kentucky is the beautiful area that is perfect for exploring. Being in nature helps me feel grounded. And I am blessed to live close to Cumberland Falls: it is the only moonbow in North America, and there is something about watching the water that has a calming effect. It’s my happy place to visit.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
That’s a great question! I try not to think too far ahead and take each day and opportunity as they come. I’m at a place where I’m very content in my life. Wherever I am, I know I will continue to be an advocate for those who might not have a seat at the table where decisions are made.
What advice would you give to new administrators in higher education?
I think my advice is like what career articles would say – work hard, take risks, and trust your instincts. Don’t be afraid to pivot if something is no longer working for you or no longer challenging you to grow professionally. Change can be difficult, but it is better than staying too long and becoming bitter and burnt out. The change you are afraid of can lead you to something even better than you imagined.
The second piece of advice is to always remember your “why” and define what career success means to you. On days that do not go as planned or a student situation does not turn out as you hoped, it’s important to remember why you are doing this work and that others still need your support and advocacy. Rest, recharge, and keep going.