Leadership in higher education demands vision, strategic insight, and a focus on student success. Dr. Anthony Davis, the 13th President of Livingstone College, embodies these principles. His career in philanthropy, institutional advancement, and educational reform highlights a dedication to transforming higher education.
Dr. Davis’s journey reflects resilience and determination. Raised in foster care, he overcame significant challenges that shaped his character and drive. In 2001, he graduated magna cum laude from Livingstone College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, demonstrating the institution’s mission of service and leadership.
His interest in philanthropy and development led him to earn a Master of Arts in Philanthropy and Development from St. Mary’s University in Minnesota. There, he focused on the importance of planned giving in supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), setting the stage for his ongoing work to strengthen higher education.
Advancing Education through Strategic Stewardship
Dr. Anthony Davis earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from The United Theological Seminary, focusing on asset-based stewardship. His dissertation, Beyond the Plate: Examining the Philanthropic Giving Patterns of a Church-Based Context with an Emphasis on Asset-Based Stewardship, explored strategies for aging congregations to achieve economic stability. This work provided practical approaches to addressing financial challenges in faith-based communities.
After graduating from Livingstone College, Dr. Davis began his career in institutional advancement as Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving. His ability to build relationships and secure resources led to leadership roles, including Assistant Vice President and Vice President for Institutional Advancement. He extended his expertise to other institutions, including Bennett College for Women, Talladega College, and The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management.
Throughout his career, Dr. Davis has raised over $500 million in philanthropic gifts and grants. This record highlights his strategic approach to resource development and his commitment to fostering institutional growth.
Leading Livingstone College to New Heights
In 2022, Dr. Anthony Davis became the president of Livingstone College, bringing with him a vision based on a five-pillar strategy: Enrollment, Engagement, Empowerment, Economics, and Endowment. Under his leadership, the college has already achieved notable results. The freshman class increased from 220 students in 2022 to 421 in 2024. Additionally, the average GPA rose from 2.7 to 3.26, and freshman retention improved significantly to 78%, compared to the 20-year average of 50%. The overall persistence rate from sophomore to senior year also reached 80%.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Livingstone College #51 among 104 HBCUs in 2024, a leap from #76 in 2022. Dr. Davis considers this 20-spot improvement in two years a major milestone, reflecting the institution’s rapid progress under his leadership.
Dr. Davis has also spearheaded the $55 million “Miracle on Monroe Street” initiative, aimed at modernizing campus infrastructure and enriching the student experience. In two years, he secured over $35 million in gifts and grants to support the project. This funding has enabled the comprehensive renovation of five residence halls, upgrades to the cafeteria, and improvements to the Price Administration building, solidifying Livingstone College’s commitment to fostering a thriving campus environment.
Livingstone College: Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Livingstone College was founded in 1879 as the Zion Wesley Institute by descendants of freed slaves who envisioned a path to higher education. In 1885, the institution relocated to Salisbury, North Carolina, and adopted the name Livingstone College. Just two years later, it celebrated its first graduating class, which included eight men and two women. Notably, these women were the first in North Carolina to earn baccalaureate degrees. Today, Livingstone College serves as a private historically Black college and university (HBCU).
The college’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) reflects the changing demographics of its student body. While many students identify as African American, the campus community has become increasingly diverse over the past two years, now encompassing individuals from white, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Indian backgrounds. This diversity results from intentional efforts to foster an academic environment where every student feels engaged and supported. Faculty and staff focus on meeting students where they are, providing them with the necessary tools to reach their full potential.
Dr. Davis stresses that fostering inclusion necessitates intentional action. “Diversity can happen by chance,” he explains, “but equity and inclusion require deliberate effort.” He compares inclusion to sorting jellybeans: while diversity occurs when you randomly reach into a jar, true inclusion demands purposeful and thoughtful engagement.
Dr. Davis aligns his vision for Livingstone College with the institution’s goals. He states, “Our vision is to become one of the top twenty private HBCUs, producing graduates who can compete and contribute in a global context with both competence and confidence.”
While the college is not currently ranked among the top twenty, it remains focused on achieving the metrics necessary to elevate its standing not only among HBCUs but also within the broader landscape of higher education institutions.
Turning Challenges into Purpose
“My career has seen its share of peaks and valleys,” Dr. Davis shares. “But I’ve been fortunate to have more good days than bad.” Reflecting on his professional journey, Dr. Davis recalls a pivotal period in his life that occurred when he faced a toxic work environment that severely affected his mental health. The struggle became so overwhelming that he even contemplated suicide.
“I thought about what it would mean if my life ended then,” he continues. This moment of deep introspection brought a crucial question to the surface: “Had I accomplished everything I was created to do?” Instead of succumbing to despair, Dr. Davis chose to see his challenges as stepping stones. Each obstacle became part of a larger journey, a ladder leading to a higher calling and purpose.
Reimagining Education for the Future
Dr. Davis envisions a future where access and affordability in higher education work hand in hand. “If I had unlimited resources, that’s what I would focus on,” he explains. As president, he spends about 10 weeks each year traveling to recruit students, and these experiences reveal the deep challenges within the sector.
“I meet bright, talented students with GPAs of 3.8 or 4.0 who have no idea how they’ll attend college or pay for it,” Dr. Davis says. Many come from schools where the majority qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, highlighting the economic barriers they face.
Dr. Davis advocates for increased funding for Pell Grants and higher education persistence grants to support these students. He also emphasizes the urgent need for a dedicated fund for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to address aging infrastructure and outdated facilities. “Our institutions are critical to the future of higher education,” he asserts, “but we need resources to sustain them.”
Balancing Leadership with Personal Passions
Dr. Davis acknowledges the challenges of balancing the demands of leadership with personal well-being. “This is an area where I struggle,” he admits. Leading an institution requires relentless effort, but his family plays a critical role in ensuring he takes time to recharge. “They make sure I take breaks to refuel and recharge,” he shares.
Travel offers him a chance to reset. “I love sitting on a Caribbean island and doing absolutely nothing,” Dr. Davis says with a smile. Beyond travel, he enjoys listening to music, playing golf, and reading.
Dr. Davis also reveals a unique side of his personality. “I’m a professional club DJ,” he says, laughing. “I mix R&B, rap, and club tunes—and I’m pretty good at it.”
Looking ahead, he expresses a personal goal: “I want to author my first book and share my journey, from foster care to the president’s chair.” This project reflects his desire to inspire others by recounting the experiences that shaped his life and leadership.
A Legacy of Service and Inspiration
Dr. Davis’s leadership philosophy is summed up in his favorite quote: “If service is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.” This principle shapes his approach to leading Livingstone College, where he views his role as a sacred trust. His presidency is not only about achieving milestones; it is also about creating a lasting impact on the lives of students, faculty, and the broader community. Under his leadership, Livingstone College is well-positioned to continue its legacy as a transformative institution, preparing graduates to make meaningful contributions to society.
Quote
“If service is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.”
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