Albany State names Denise Davis-Maye inaugural associate provost for faculty affairs

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

Why it matters: - Albany State University is creating a new senior role to focus on faculty affairs, a sign the university wants tighter support for hiring, development and retention. - The appointment is tied directly to student success, since the university says stronger faculty systems drive academic quality and institutional growth.

What happened: - Albany State University named Dr. Denise Davis-Maye its inaugural Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, effective Aug. 1, 2026. - The position is newly established within the Division of Academic Affairs. - Dr. Davis-Maye previously served as professor and chair of the Department of Social Work at Alabama State University.

The details: - Dr. Davis-Maye will lead faculty affairs work across recruitment and hiring, promotion and tenure, evaluation, professional development, policy and governance, workload, staffing and data. - The role includes close collaboration with the provost and the Division of Academic Affairs. - Albany State said she will help build a thriving faculty community and support scholarly productivity across the institution. - Dr. Davis-Maye brings more than 30 years of professional social work experience and more than 25 years in social work education. - Her background 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 serves on the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Alabama and is a Fulbright Specialist. - Her academic background includes Clark Atlanta University, Hunter College of the City University of New York and the University of Alabama. - Her scholarship centers on the well-being of girls and women of African ancestry, with research on adolescent development, global leadership, 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 (Demeter Press, 2022). - Her recent work focuses on faculty success through professional development, international partnerships and global engagement initiatives.

Between the lines: - The new position gives Albany State a dedicated executive-level advocate for faculty systems, which can matter when universities are competing for talent and trying to improve retention. - The university is pairing academic administration with broader themes of equity-centered leadership and community engagement, which fit Davis-Maye’s background. - President Dr. Robert O. Scott said the role reflects Albany State’s commitment to investing in faculty as a driver of student success and institutional growth. - Provost Dr. Annice Yarber-Allen said Davis-Maye’s leadership will support recruitment, professional growth and innovation aligned with the university’s mission.

What's next: - Dr. Davis-Maye is set to begin in the role on Aug. 1, 2026. - Albany State will likely use the position to formalize and expand faculty development, retention and governance efforts across academic affairs.

The bottom line: - Albany State is betting that a dedicated faculty affairs leader will help strengthen teaching quality, faculty support and academic innovation.