Albany State names first associate provost for faculty affairs

Albany State University has appointed Dr. Denise Davis-Maye as its inaugural associate provost for faculty affairs, effective Aug. 1, 2026. The new role is meant to strengthen faculty recruitment, development, retention and academic innovation as the university links faculty support more directly to student success.

Why it matters: - Albany State University is creating a new senior faculty leadership role to strengthen faculty excellence, academic innovation and student success. - The position gives the university a dedicated leader for recruitment, promotion and tenure, evaluation, development, policy and faculty workload.

What happened: - Albany State University appointed Dr. Denise Davis-Maye as its inaugural Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, effective Aug. 1, 2026. - The university said the role is part of a broader commitment to faculty support and academic growth. - 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 provide strategic leadership across faculty affairs, including recruitment and hiring, promotion and tenure, evaluation processes, faculty and professional development, policy and governance, and oversight of workload, staffing and data. - The role will be carried out in close collaboration with the provost and the Division of Academic Affairs. - Albany State said the associate provost will be a key member of the Academic Affairs leadership team. - The position also includes oversight of faculty recruitment, development, evaluation and retention. - Dr. Davis-Maye has more than 30 years of professional social work experience and more than 25 years in social work education. - Her background includes work as an educator, scholar and practitioner focused on equity-centered practice. - Dr. Davis-Maye is an alumna of Clark Atlanta University. - She 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. - She 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, especially the cultural, community and family influences on adolescent development. - Her research also covers global leadership development, cross-cultural collaboration, and the experiences of women and girls of color in educational and community settings. - Davis-Maye is co-editor of Black Sisterhoods: Paradigms and Praxis, published by Demeter Press in 2022. - Her recent work has centered on faculty success through professional development, international partnerships and global engagement initiatives.

Between the lines: - Albany State is signaling that faculty affairs is now a strategic priority, not just an administrative function. - The hire also suggests the university wants a leader with both academic administration experience and a social justice-oriented research background. - President Dr. Robert O. Scott said the new role underscores 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 Davis-Maye’s leadership will support recruitment, retention and professional growth across career stages.

What's next: - Dr. Davis-Maye is set to begin the role on Aug. 1, 2026. - Albany State said she will lead efforts to strengthen teaching, learning, scholarly productivity and faculty community. - The university expects the new position to help expand innovation in teaching and service while supporting academic programs aligned with its mission. - The university’s announcement lists Rachel Lawrence as the media contact at +1 229-364-6683.