Taja Delise Davidson
Sewanee
Summary
Dynamic and dedicated higher educational professional with over 20 years of comprehensive experience in student affairs, specializing in student development, retention strategies, and community engagement. Proven track record of fostering inclusive and supportive environments that promote academic succces and personal growth for diverst student populations. Adept at developing and implementing innovative programs that enhance student life, address emerging student needs, and build strong partnerships across campus.
As an accomlished leader, I possess exceptional skills in team management, conflict resolution, and critical thinking, enabling me to effectively guide cross-functional teams and navigte complex challenges. My experties includes strategic planning, data-informed decision-making, and the cultivation of a culture of collaboration among faculty, staff, and students. Passionante about advocating for student bvoices and ensuring equitable access to resoures. I have successfully led initiatives to enhance student engagement and empowere underrepresented grouops. My committment is to foster a vibrant campus culture and inspire and mentor others.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Community Standards
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH
08.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: The University of the South is an institution of the Episcopal Church dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom in close community and in full freedom if inquiry, and enlightened by Christian faith in the Anglican tradition, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds, the end that students be prepared to search for truth, seek justice, preserve liberty under law, and serve God and humanity
- Oversee the processes and procedures of the Code of Conduct
- Designing, promoting, and implementing programs and services which contribute to the health, safety, welfare, and overall student life outside the classroom
- Coordinates the resolution process and monitors the documentation of student violations of the Code of Conduct, including educational conferences, hearings, and issuing monthly community reports
- Participates in policy planning, articulation, implementation, and review of issues relating to Student Affairs
- Writes and maintains policy through the management of online resources associated with the communication of conduct to the community
- Educates and trains resolution officers in the Code of Conduct process and procedures
- Recruits, trains, and advises the College's hearing boards, in order to promote a fair and consistent disciplinary process
- The University of the South is an institution of the Episcopal Church dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom in close community and in full freedom if inquiry, and enlightened by Christian faith in the Anglican tradition, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds, the end that students be prepared to search for truth, seek justice, preserve liberty under law, and serve God and humanity
Associate Dean of Student Life, Community Standards and Compliance
WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY
07.2018 - 12.2019
- Company Overview: Whitworth University is a private, residential, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian church
- The university's mission is to provide its diverse student body an education of the mind and the heart, equipping its graduates to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity
- Provided leadership and direction for conduct administration and threat assessment through effective policy development, administration, program design, and collaboration with multiple departments; assist the vice president for student life with the overall administration of the student life division
- Whitworth University is a private, residential, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian church
- The university's mission is to provide its diverse student body an education of the mind and the heart, equipping its graduates to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity
Assistant Provost/Dean of Students for Student Affairs
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY
05.2015 - 07.2016
- Company Overview: Vincennes University develops people and enhances communities through accessible, high-quality educational program, strategic partnerships, and active engagement
- It is a premier learning institution, widely recognized for leadership in innovation and delivery of successful educational experiences
- Supervise and coordinate the Student Affairs Divisions which includes the development of student services philosophies, policies, and budgets
- Supervise the staff in the areas of Career Services, Counseling, Disability Services, Recreational and Intramural Sports, Residence Life and Housing, and Student Life
- Responsible for providing quality services in a student-centered institution
- Oversee co-curricular and extra-curricular programming
- Coordinate the evaluation of student services to ensure they meet the needs of a diverse student population
- Support student growth both academically and socially
- Manage the Student Affairs budget
- Manage a 3.5-million-dollar Student Affairs budget
- Implemented retention and completion programs such as WAKE UP and SWAG
- Vincennes University develops people and enhances communities through accessible, high-quality educational program, strategic partnerships, and active engagement
- It is a premier learning institution, widely recognized for leadership in innovation and delivery of successful educational experiences
Interim Assistant Provost/Dean of Students
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY
02.2014 - 05.2015
- Supervise and coordinate the Student Affairs Divisions which includes the development of student services philosophies, policies, and budgets
- Supervise the staff in the areas of student life, residential life, disability services, student conduct, counseling services, recreational/intramural sports, counseling, and career services
- Responsible for providing quality services in a student-centered institution
- Oversee co-curricular and extra-curricular programming
- Coordinate the evaluation of student services to ensure they meet the needs of a diverse student population
- Support student growth both academically and socially
- Manage the Student Affairs budget
- Manage a 3.5-million-dollar Student Affairs budget
- Manage Student Affairs staff which includes Career Services, Counseling Center, Disability Services, Recreational/Intramural Sports, Residence Life and Housing, and Student Life
- Implemented retention and completion programs such as WAKE UP and SWAG
Interim Dean of Students
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY
02.2013 - 12.2013
- Provided social programs and supports for students at Vincennes University
- Collaborated with different departments on campus to ensure adequate student resources are available
- Implemented retention programs for the Student Life department to assist students on academic probation
- Formed outside community relationships with stakeholders to create programs to assist all students with having academic difficulty
Assistant Director (Student Activities)
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
06.2008 - 01.2012
- Company Overview: Tennessee State University, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU), fosters scholarly inquiry and research, life-long learning, and a commitment to service
- Tennessee State University aspires to achieve national and international prominence, building on its heritage and preparing leaders for a global society
- Responsible for the oversight of the Student Activities budget exceeding $250,000
- Assisted in planning, promoting, and managing a broad spectrum of student activities and programs to nurture student leadership development
- Supervised the TSU Spirit-Cheerleaders, TigerGems and Pep Club
- Advised the Tennessee State University Royal Court
- Assisted in the selection and assessment of programs
- Designed and implemented data collection, analysis, and reporting
- Developed on-going assessment of services and events in order to provide benchmarks for improvement
- Assisted in all Homecoming activities
- Assisted with the preparation and editing of all printed materials
- Tennessee State University, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU), fosters scholarly inquiry and research, life-long learning, and a commitment to service
- Tennessee State University aspires to achieve national and international prominence, building on its heritage and preparing leaders for a global society
Judicial Affairs Coordinator (Student Conduct & Mediation Services)
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Received and investigated all complaints regarding student misconduct
- Determined course of action for disciplinary review
- Processed student withdrawals
- Enforced institutional policies
- Acted as the initial contact for all student judicial matters
- Assisted with the training of student and parental rights
- Developed and updated training manual for the Department of Residence Life, Student Conduct, Student Activities and TSU Spirit
- Assisted in the annual update of the University Student Handbook
Administrative Assistant IV (Student Conduct & Mediation Services)
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
06.2006 - 07.2008
- Assisted the Chief Judicial Officer/Dean of Students with training sessions on student and parental rights
- Assisted the Assistant Vice President and the Chief Judicial Officer/Dean of Students on the Reaffirmation of Accreditation with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
- Assisted with interpreting disciplinary guidance to the entire student body based on policies and procedures governed by the University's Student Handbook and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR)
- Supervised work-study students
- Researched various laws, regulations, and policies to ensure compliance and appropriate interpretations that are applicable to current laws, regulations, and policies
- Served on various Faculty/Student Hearing Body Committee hearings
- Assisted the Chief Judicial Officer with reviewing students' complaints
- Managed the daily operations of the judicial office
- Prepared travel and purchase requisitions/claims
- Prepared meeting agendas and recording minutes of meetings
- Maintained student records housed in the Chief Judicial Office
Administrative Assistant IV (Department of Residence Life)
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
06.2006 - 07.2008
- Assisted the Director of Residence Life with the housing of students
- Maintained personnel, financial, statistical and other important records
- Assisted with the office budget
- Prepared travel and purchase requisitions/claims
- Composed, edited, copied, and distributed departmental communications and publications
- Read incoming and outgoing mail and routing mail not requiring the supervisor's attention to the proper officials or composes non-routine reply independently
- Prepared meeting agenda and recorded minutes of meetings
Education
Ph.D. - Higher Educational Leadership
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana05.2025
M.Ed. - Educational Administration And Supervision
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN08.2009
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Verbal and written communication
- People Management
- Operations Management
- Team Management
- Creativity and Innovation
- Budget Management
- Organizational Development
- Staff Development
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Relationship Building
- Administrative Management
Affiliations
- ACPA ( College Student Educators International)
- ASCA (Association of Student Conduct Administrators), Region 7 Co-Chair
- ASHE (Association for the Study of Higher Education)
- NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education)
Timeline
Director of Community Standards
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH
08.2024 - Current
Associate Dean of Student Life, Community Standards and Compliance
WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY
07.2018 - 12.2019
Assistant Provost/Dean of Students for Student Affairs
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY
05.2015 - 07.2016
Interim Assistant Provost/Dean of Students
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY
02.2014 - 05.2015
Interim Dean of Students
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY
02.2013 - 12.2013
Assistant Director (Student Activities)
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
06.2008 - 01.2012
Judicial Affairs Coordinator (Student Conduct & Mediation Services)
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
01.2008 - 01.2012
Administrative Assistant IV (Student Conduct & Mediation Services)
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
06.2006 - 07.2008
Administrative Assistant IV (Department of Residence Life)
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
06.2006 - 07.2008
Ph.D. - Higher Educational Leadership
Indiana State University
M.Ed. - Educational Administration And Supervision
Tennessee State University
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