Janine Davidson, Ph.D., is the president of Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado’s third-largest public university and the only access-oriented higher-education institution in the state. Prior to her appointment in 2017, Davidson served as the 32nd undersecretary of the U.S. Navy. Her appointment as Navy “under” followed nearly 30 years of academic, civilian and military service. She began her career as an Air Force officer and cargo pilot, and was the first woman to fly the branch’s tactical C-130.
Davidson’s various honors include: “HillVets Top 100 Most Influential Veterans”; University of South Carolina Distinguished Alumna; Secretary of the Navy Medal for Distinguished Public Service; Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service; Girl Scouts of Colorado 2018 “Woman of Distinction”; and the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce 2019 “Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business.”
Currently, Davidson serves as a presidentially appointed commissioner for the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service. Locally, she serves on a number of nonprofit boards and is co-chair of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock’s “Complete Count” 2020 census committee.