The Portland Business Journal has named Linfield University President Miles K. Davis as one of its 2022 Executives of the Year.
The news organization’s annual Executives of the Year awards honor leaders in six categories, including presidents. Nominees for the awards are evaluated by a panel of outside judges based on critical strategy, guidance and management leading to exceptional performance.
“In a short amount of time, Miles Davis has changed the trajectory of Linfield University – creating new programs and reinvigorating the school,” said Candace Beeke, president and publisher of the Portland Business Journal. “Despite challenges and setbacks, he has pushed forward, demanding the university adapt to serve a changing community and student body.”
Davis became president in 2018, arriving at a time of transformation in higher education. As he finishes his fourth year, Davis has guided the university’s two campuses through a steady stream of changes, including the:
- Conversion of Linfield College to Linfield University, along with the addition of the first graduate programs in nearly 30 years.
- Creation of a School of Business and College of Arts and Sciences.
- Opening of a new, and vastly expanded, Portland campus.
- Development of a new $37 million science complex, the largest construction project in university history. It is on schedule to be completed in December 2022.
- Launch of a comprehensive fundraising campaign, Spark Wonder, which is currently 81% toward its $75 million goal.
- Shepherding the university into a new model of governance with a reconstituted University Cabinet, Faculty Senate and Staff Council.
During his tenure, Linfield has seen a continued change in the student makeup of the university. The introduction of new graduate degrees has changed the demographics of the student body, now serving a growing number of working professionals and second-degree students. At the undergraduate level, Linfield continues to increase the diversity among its students. Fall 2021 enrollment data shows the percentage of “new majority” students – that is, students who are the first in their family to earn a degree, receive a Pell Grant, are a U.S. student of color or are a transfer student – accounts for more than 60% of the student body. The data also showed an increase in underrepresented minorities, Latinx students and an all-time high of first-generation students (34% of the total student body) at the institution.
“I’m thankful to the Portland Business Journal for this honor, and even more thankful to the Linfield community for coming with me on this journey of change,” said Davis, who holds a Ph.D. in human and organizational sciences from The George Washington University. “The ranks of our students, faculty and staff are filled with high-achievers, entrepreneurs and people who want to make a difference in the world. Together, we’re positioning Linfield University to keep accomplishing that far into the future.”
In addition to his numerous duties at Linfield, Davis serves as chair of the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities. He is also a board member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Portland-based non-profit Self Enhancement Inc.
