C.U. Team

Dr. Robin Davis

Robin R. Davis, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Management & Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship in the School of Business at Claflin University. She is the former Executive Director of the Rural Crossroads Institute (RCI). Rural Crossroads Institute originated as a non-profit organization and the mission was primarily directed to rural communities in South Carolina; in order to allow RCI personnel, local leaders and SC Department of Commerce personnel to work collaboratively to implement best practices and share solutions by promoting economic development and growth. Dr. Davis also worked at the SC Department of Commerce as an Economic Development Manager for many years.

Dr. Davis have instructed students in the areas of Business Research, Consumer Behavior, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Organizational Behavior, Retailing and International Business.

She holds degrees in Business Administration from S.C. State University (B.S.), Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL (M.B.A.) and Capella University (Ph.D.). She is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute (EDI) at the University of Oklahoma, Georgia Institute of Technology (Economic Development Course) and South Carolina Economic Developer's School (SCEDS).

Dr. Davis was selected as a South Carolina Emissary to Australia in 2000 and traveled to Sydney, Brisbane, Queensland, New South Wales, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth to speak about community and economic development initiatives and opportunities.

She was the 2001-02 President of Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI www.brei.org) an international economic development organization that focuses on providing resources, tools, training, best practices and networking opportunities for those involved in business retention and expansion activities around the world.

Dr. Davis has 25 years of experience in the field of Business and Education. She serves on numerous boards in the state of South Carolina and has received several awards and commendations for her outstanding work in the field of education, community and economic development. She believes that organizations around the world are being faced with an ever changing economy and must be prepared for quality development. Therefore, educational institutions in the United States must be innovatively engaged in preparing students for the demands of the national and global workforce system


EDUCATION:

• Doctorate in Philosophy – Organizational Management - Capella University
• Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A.) – Alabama A& M University
• B. S. in Business Administration from South Carolina State University


CERTIFITION:

• Honorary Lifetime Certified Master Consultant award by BREI in May 2003


RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Economic Development (Rural and Urban Development)
• Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development
• Leadership (Influence, Power and Wealth)
• Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility

Dr. Davis have worked in both the business and education sectors and have a research philosophy that is theory and applied integrated. She has presented research and corporate work over the past twenty years nationally and globally at conferences, in peer reviewed journals and in corporate board rooms.


ACTIVITIES & HONORS

• Awarded Excellence in Service (2015-2016) for School of Business (Claflin)
• Awarded Excellence in Research (2014-2015) for School of Business (Claflin)
• Awarded Excellence in Teaching (2013-2014) for School of Business (Claflin)
• Developed the Grant Writing Certificate Program for the University of South Carolina (2011)
• Awarded Undergraduate Faculty of the Year – Webster University (2010-2011)
• Awarded Undergraduate Faculty of the Year – Webster University (2009-2010)
• Awarded Undergraduate Faculty of the Year – Webster University (2008-2009)
• Graduate of Furman University, Riley Institute – Diversity Academy (2007)
• Graduate of Clemson University, Leadership South Carolina (2006)
• Awarded George W. Morse – Distinguished Service Award (2005) in the field of Business Retention & Expansion
• Graduate of University of Oklahoma, Economic Development Institute, (2000)
• Graduate of the College of Charleston, SC Economic Development School (1998)
• Graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology, Basic Econ. Development (1998)
• Awarded Research Fellowship – US Department of Energy (Washington, DC) (1989)
• Vice President, Delta House, Inc. (2014- Present)
• Chair of the Midlands Community Development Corporation, SC (2007- 2013)
• Member of the Advisory Board of the SC Women’s Business Center (2003-2005)
• Member of the Board of Directors for the SC Association for Rural Education (1999-2002)
• Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (1983 – Present)