Janine Davidson named as finalist for MSU Denver president
Board announces selection of the former undersecretary of the United States Navy.
Metropolitan State University of Denver Board of Trustees Chair Michelle Lucero today announced that Janine Davidson, Ph.D., is the finalist for president of MSU Denver.
Davidson has extensive experience as an academic and leader of complex organizations. Most recently, as the 32nd undersecretary of the United States Navy, she managed all Department of the Navy affairs including Navy and Marine Corps integration, acquisition, finance, personnel, legislative affairs, research and development. In this role, she was responsible for the health and well-being of nearly 900,000 sailors, marines, civilians and their families.
Davidson has nearly 30 years of experience in military operations, national security policy and academic research. As an analyst and academic, Davidson was a senior fellow for defense policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, where she is a lifetime member. She has taught national security policy and political science at Georgetown University, George Mason University and Davidson College.
“Davidson’s background, character and hybrid mix of experience in business, public life and academia make her especially qualified to provide MSU Denver the leadership it needs to continue on the path of achieving its vision of becoming the nation’s preeminent urban university,” said Lucero. She added that Davidson is the perfect candidate to build on the sustained growth and transformation achieved during the last 12 years under MSU Denver President Stephen Jordan’s phenomenal leadership.
Davidson holds a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s of science degree in architectural engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Squadron Officer School and was the first woman to fly the Air Force’s tactical C-130.
“It is an honor to join the vibrant, diverse and innovative MSU Denver community,” Davidson said. “President Jordan and his team have made MSU Denver a national model for student-centered higher education. I am thrilled and humbled by the opportunity to lead the University at this time of remarkable growth. In the weeks ahead, I look forward to listening and learning more from the students, faculty, staff and the greater MSU Denver community.”
MSU Denver will host open public meetings with Davidson and faculty, staff, administrator, student, alumni and community groups on Feb. 13 and 14. A detailed schedule will be provided the week of Feb. 6.
About Metropolitan State University of Denver
MSU Denver is a leader in educating Coloradans in university programs particularly relevant to the state’s economy and the demands of today’s employers. With the highest number of ethnically diverse students among the state’s four-year colleges, MSU Denver offers 67 majors plus master’s degrees in accounting, business, health administration, teaching and social work. Nearly 20,000 students are currently enrolled at MSU Denver, and 75 percent of the University’s more than 88,000 graduates have remained in Colorado as valuable members of the state’s workforce.
For information, contact:
Cathy Lucas
303-916-1002
Tim Carroll
303-870-7705
