Patrice Black Davis, Ed.D. Elected First African American Chair of the Salem Academy and College Board of Trustees

Salem Academy and College marks another important milestone with the election of Patrice Black Davis, Ed.D. as the first African American to chair its Board of Trustees. A 1989 graduate of Salem College, Davis began her board service at Salem in 2017 and will serve a two-year term as chair beginning July 1, 2023.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Davis as chair of our Board of Trustees,” Salem Academy and College President Summer J. McGee, Ph.D., CPH said. “She brings a wealth of insight, wisdom and guidance to our board with her extensive background in education. I look forward to working closely alongside Dr. Davis to take Salem to new heights.”

Davis has worked in higher education for 33 years and serves as the Vice President for Student Services at Trident Technical College in Charleston, South Carolina. Trident Tech is the third-largest higher education institution in South Carolina and the largest technical college. At Trident Tech, she provides oversight for the Financial Aid; Counseling and Disability Services; Registrar; Student Employment; Student Life; and Testing offices, as well as works with the college’s government relations initiatives.

Since her arrival at Trident Tech in 2013, Davis has provided leadership for the establishment of the college’s first centralized advising hub through a Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant. Additionally, she spearheaded student services’ role in the establishment of a College of Charleston Bridge program.

Prior to Trident Tech, Davis served as the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services at Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus, Dean of Enrollment at Forsyth Technical Community College, Director of Admissions at Winston-Salem State University and Dean of Enrollment and Financial Aid at the University of North Carolina Asheville.

In addition, she worked in the Salem College Admissions Office and also served as a member on Salem’s Board of Visitors.

Davis is a recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished College Administrator Award and the Salem College Alumna Service Award. In addition, she is a YWCA What Women Bring Education Honoree and a Riley’s Institute Diversity Fellow. Davis also has the distinction of being one of the first Executive Mentors for the North Carolina State University Adult and Community College doctoral program.

Davis grew up in Winston-Salem and obtained her undergraduate degree in Communication from Salem College. She earned her Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and a Doctorate in Adult & Community College Education from North Carolina State University. Davis is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Davis resides in Moncks Corner, South Carolina with her husband, Terrence.