DR. FELECCIA MOORE-DAVIS’ STORY CHANGED BECAUSE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE
By: OLIVER PULCHER, ART & LIFE EDITOR:
On Aug. 1, 18 days before students were set to start classes at STLCC-Meramec, a new campus president arrived to begin her duties for the semester. Dr. Feleccia Moore-Davis, who previously served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Tallahassee Community College in Florida, replaced former campus president Dr. Carol Lupardus when she transferred to the Wildwood Campus in July.
Dr. Moore-Davis began her own educational journey as a first generation student in New Orleans, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology. From there, she moved to Texas A&M where she earned her master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology, before she moved once more to Regent University in Virginia where she obtained her doctorate in organizational leadership.
“When I graduated with my masters degree, I had no intent of working in community colleges,” said Dr. Moore-Davis.
However, that soon changed. After graduating with her master’s, Dr. Moore-Davis began work consulting for various organizations. During one particular night as a trainer, a department chair for a local community college approached her about possibly teaching a psychology course. She agreed. “That’s where the story truly changed for me. Being at the community college changed my life. It truly changed my view of things,” said Dr. Moore-Davis.
Her work went well beyond teaching. “I think I have done it all. I have been faculty. I have been a department chair.I have done dean, vice president, and provost. And, now I am president here at Meramec,” she said.
Dr. Moore-Davis said that her main goals for this academic year are to listen to students and staff and to determine any opportunities the college might be missing for faculty, staff and students. She also said she plans to look at what possibilities might be getting missed Institution-wide.
The campus president also said that the only major challenge she is currently facing within her position is finding the time to do the things she loves about her work. For Dr. Moore-Davis, she says these things are listening to the students and helping to support them. She does plan to make time for pizza with the president, among other student-focused activities, she said. “I’m going to dive into the data and see how our students are doing,” Dr. Moore-Davis said. “I’m going to see what their challenges are and where there are opportunities for students. I am also going to have a president’s Twitter page so that students can ask me questions they have anytime without having to wait.”
