Albany State names Dr. Denise Davis-Maye inaugural faculty affairs leader

Albany State University has appointed Dr. Denise Davis-Maye as its first associate provost for faculty affairs, effective Aug. 1, 2026. The move is meant to strengthen faculty recruitment, development and retention as the university pushes academic innovation and student success.

Why it matters: - Albany State University is creating a new senior role focused on faculty support, a sign the university is prioritizing hiring, promotion, development and retention. - The appointment is tied to the university’s broader push for academic excellence, innovation and student success.

What happened: - Albany State University named Dr. Denise Davis-Maye as its inaugural Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs. - The appointment takes effect Aug. 1, 2026. - Dr. Davis-Maye previously served as professor and chair of the Department of Social Work at Alabama State University.

The details: - The new role includes leadership over faculty recruitment and hiring, promotion and tenure, evaluation, professional development, policy and governance, workload, staffing and data. - Dr. Davis-Maye will work closely with the provost and the Division of Academic Affairs. - Albany State President Dr. Robert O. Scott said the role reflects the university’s commitment to investing in faculty as a driver of student success and institutional growth. - Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Annice Yarber-Allen said Dr. Davis-Maye will help recruit and retain talented faculty and support professional growth at every career stage. - Dr. Davis-Maye has more than 30 years of professional social work experience and more than 25 years in social work education. - She is an alumna of Clark Atlanta University and completed graduate studies at Hunter College of the City University of New York and the University of Alabama. - Her career includes service as a U.S. Ambassador’s Distinguished Scholar at Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia. - She has also held leadership roles with the Women’s Policy Institute of the Women’s Foundation of Alabama. - Dr. Davis-Maye currently serves on the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Alabama and is a Fulbright Specialist. - Her scholarship focuses on the well-being of girls and women of African ancestry, with research on cultural, community and family influences on adolescent development. - Her other research has examined global leadership development, cross-cultural collaboration and the experiences of women and girls of color in educational and community settings. - She is co-editor of Black Sisterhoods: Paradigms and Praxis, published by Demeter Press in 2022. - Her recent work centers on faculty success through professional development, international partnerships and global engagement initiatives.

Between the lines: - Albany State is signaling that faculty infrastructure is now a strategic priority, not just an administrative function. - The university is pairing that priority with a leader whose background spans social work, equity-focused scholarship and global engagement, which suggests a broader view of faculty development than staffing alone.

What's next: - Dr. Davis-Maye will begin shaping faculty affairs strategy after her Aug. 1 start date. - The role is expected to support recruitment, retention and scholarly productivity across the academic enterprise. - Albany State will use the new position to build a more supported faculty community and strengthen teaching, learning and research.