Robin Renee Davis has the responsibility of molding a new generation of business leaders studying at Virginia Union University.

VUU President Hakim J. Lucas recently announced the appointment of Dr. Davis as the new dean of the Sydney Lewis School of Business at the private, historically black private school in North Side.

Dr. Davis, who is to start Monday, July 1, is the second new dean Dr. Lucas has named in recent weeks. He promoted Dr. Ted Ritter, a veteran professor, as dean of VUU’s School of Arts and Sciences in May.

Dr. Davis most recently served as an associate professor of management and director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Claflin University in South Carolina.

Dr. Davis will take over from Dr. Delta R. Bowers, a professor of marketing and management, who has served as interim business school dean since December 2017, when Dr. Brenda J. Ponsford left to become dean of Mercyhurst University’s College of Business, Dr. Lucas stated.

“Dr. Davis is well-positioned to grow VUU’s School of Business by introducing new degree programs and helping our students develop in management and entrepreneurship,” Dr. Lucas stated. He called the new dean an “innovative scholar and thoughtful leader” whose “experience and expertise will benefit our students.”

Her 25 years of experience in government and academia includes past service as economic development manager for the South Carolina Department of Commerce and as executive director of the Rural Crossroads Institute.

Dr. Davis also is the president of Delta House, a community-based, non-profit organization and former chair of the South Carolina-based Midlands Community Development organization that built and sold 20 homes in Congaree Pointe.

She also is a past president of the Mississippi-based Business Retention and Expansion International, an association for government economic development officials.

Dr. Davis earned a bachelor’s in business administration from South Carolina State University, an MBA from Alabama A&M University and a doctorate in organizational management from Capella University.