President Michael E. Hill is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Marcelle Davis as Randolph-Macon’s new Chief Human Resources Officer. Davis succeeds Sharon Jackson, who served as RMC’s Director of Human Resources for 30 distinguished years before her retirement at the conclusion of June 2026.

Davis brings a wealth of human resources experience to the role, most recently serving as a Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Inclusive Excellence Officer for the VCU Health System, developing programs to attract and retain top talent for an organization consisting of more than 15,000 employees. Prior to VCU Health, she served as Leader for People & Organizational Development for Booz Allen Hamilton and as Talent & Workforce Strategy Lead for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

“Our ‘human resources,’ as in the individuals that make up RMC’s faculty and staff, are among the College’s most important assets, and it’s befitting their importance that Dr. Davis joins our leadership team,” President Hill said. “Her experience and perspective will be critical to her service as both a hands-on HR leader and a strategic advisor. I am confident that Marcelle will build relationships quickly and help make RMC an employer of choice for our team today and talented candidates in the future.”

In recognition of the role’s importance and Davis’s experience, the Chief Human Resources Officer will be a member of the President’s Cabinet, reporting to the VP for Administration and Finance.

Davis earned a B.A. in Political Science from Georgia State University, an MBA from American InterContinental University, and a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University. In addition to her experience in human resources, particularly in fostering inclusive and equitable workplaces, Davis teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in business management, strategic leadership, and organizational culture.

“At my core, I am a servant leader with a growth mindset,” Davis said. “My experience across various industries has positioned me to think strategically in today’s connected and rapidly changing marketplace where equity, inclusion, and innovation are at the foundation of everything we do, say, and touch. I am honored to serve the RMC community and am excited for all we can and will accomplish.”

A prolific writer in her field, Davis published her book Measuring Inclusive Leadership with G.R.A.C.E. in 2019 as well as several magazine and journal articles. She has been recognized with awards by a variety of organizations, including the Black Graduate Student Association Black Excellence Faculty Award in 2025, as an HR Superstar by HRO Magazine in 2023, and in the Top 50 Women Leaders of VA in 2022. Davis serves on the Board of Directors for Family Lifeline and Special Olympics of Virginia.