Durham Tech Leader Attends National CEO Mentoring Institute

DURHAM, NC – Dr. Angela Davis, Vice President, Chief Talent and Equity Officer at Durham Technical Community College was a recent participant of the 2022 Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership, which was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania October 2-7, 2022.

The Lakin Institute, which is sponsored by the Presidents’ Round Table of African American CEOs of Community Colleges, is a national professional development program designed with the intent of preparing senior-level executives for roles as community college chief executive officers and presidents.

Davis, a Durham resident, is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive talent management strategy to leverage talent for institutional growth, while leading the development and implementation of proactive equity, inclusion, and diversity initiatives to support the college’s strategic plan.

Previously, Davis served as the Special Assistant for Equity and Inclusion at Durham Tech. She has also held various executive level positions in workforce development and banking. Davis holds a Doctoral Degree in Higher Education Executive Leadership from Wingate University.

The Lakin Institute seeks African–American participants whose experience and credentials indicated they are ready to attain the highest leadership positions. The program is an opportunity for open dialogue with chancellors, presidents and CEOs and covers all aspects of academic leadership.

"The Lakin Institute provided me with the opportunity to gain knowledge and feedback from an extraordinary group of African-American CEOs and Chancellors from across the United States, that is critical to my personal and professional growth as a community college senior leader. I am humbled and inspired by this opportunity to learn from these trailblazers and proud of this distinguished honor to be called a Lakin fellow,” Davis said.

Since its inception in 1994, The Lakin Leadership Mentoring Program, named in honor of Dr. Thomas Lakin, former Chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District has had nearly 200 participants and is known for having the highest graduate placement rate of any leadership institute for placement of African Americans in CEO positions in the United States. One of three participants have become a college chancellor, president or CEO.

“Durham Tech shares the Lakin Institute’s commitment to investing in proven talent and diversifying the leadership pipeline for community colleges," said Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton. "The College was pleased to see the Lakin Institute’s recognition of Dr. Davis and to support her participation.  Dr. Davis’s engagement in the Leadership Mentoring Program reflects Durham Tech’s commitment to professional growth and leadership development – and Dr. Davis’ commitment to community college students and the institutions that serve them.”

The President’s Round Table is an affiliate organization of the National Council on Black American Affairs and the American Association of Community Colleges. The Council is designed to provide Black community college presidents an operational network including mentoring and internship opportunities and professional development and advancement.