Around two months after former Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Byron McCrae parted ways with Davidson, the College has announced its new vice president for student life and dean of students. Dr. MarQuita Barker, who currently serves as vice president for student development at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, will join the Davidson community in June of 2025.
Despite having an extensive background in higher education, Barker’s path to Davidson was somewhat unorthodox. Attending Old Dominion University (ODU) for undergrad, Barker originally wanted to study physical therapy but ended up graduating with a degree in medical technology and communications. She highlighted the perspective this created for her. “I changed my major a few times [and] I tell students that it’s okay to think you want to do one thing and then change your mind.”
Changes in major aside, Barker loved ODU and the people it introduced her to. “What I remember distinctly about my undergraduate experience was all of the out-of-classroom mentors and support that I had.” A job in the ODU development office and her time as a residence hall advisor and peer educator got her thinking about a future in higher education. After earning her masters in education from ODU, Barker began working at Elon University, where she eventually got her MBA.
Barker believes her MBA afforded her the opportunity to become the well-rounded individual she is today. Still, even with a career path set in place, Barker knew that if she ever wanted to be president or vice president of a college, she would need a doctorate. This led her to Vanderbilt University, where she focused her doctorate research on residential colleges and their impact on students’ sense of belonging. “[My research] examined […] if students who lived in these communities were retained at a higher rate at the institution, and if they were more satisfied with their experience,” she said. “I’m a lifelong learner, so I really loved being in school.”
Despite taking on a significant role in a new institution, Barker emphasized that she wants to take her time getting acclimated to better understand Davidson students before making any sweeping changes in the fall. “I am looking to look, listen and learn in the first 30 days or so. But what I can tell you is I love Davidson students, and I think what I’m looking forward to bringing to the institution is a couple of things. [I am] someone who’s a staunch advocate for students. I’m going to always get student opinions, but [I’m] also […] a strategic-level thinker, and my work with the senior team will also be really important to me,” she stated.
As a first-generation college student, Barker envisions being able to do for Davidson students what others have done for her: help navigate college life. “Not everybody understands the value of a small liberal arts school education, so we definitely need to do our work and explain to people the value of an education at a place like Davidson,” she explained. “A liberal arts education is not going to teach you what to think, but it is going to teach you how to think critically and how to ask good questions.”
She also hopes that students will engage with her rather than approach her solely as an authority figure. “You’ll see me on campus. […] I’ll be really involved, and my goal is that all students know who I am. I think sometimes the Dean of Students Office can get a bad rap […] but I don’t really intend to meet with the students who are in ‘trouble.’ […] I want to meet with students who have questions, who want to make change on campus,” she stated.
Barker is not the only person optimistic about her new position. Students and faculty alike are eager to see her impact on campus next fall. “We are thrilled that Dr. MarQuita Barker has agreed to join the Davidson College leadership team. She brings wise judgment and a breadth of experience as a student-affairs professional—including in a vice-presidential role at a liberal arts college. She is well prepared and energized to help students thrive at Davidson. Dr. Barker’s leadership style combines a strategic eye for shaping the student experience with a deep commitment to knowing and supporting each individual student,” President Doug Hicks ‘90 stated in an article published by the College.
Natalie Russell ‘25, who was a search committee member for the dean of students position, felt Barker’s enthusiasm early on. “I am very excited about Dean Barker! She was very passionate about student life and individualized support when we talked with her. I’m eager to see how she takes some of our uniquely-Davidson cultures, such as our Honor Code, and helps them continue to grow and thrive. Dean Barker brings wonderful experiences to our community and I’m looking forward to her leadership,” she stated.
Union Board president Davis Varnado ‘25 was also part of the search committee and felt similarly about Barker’s personality. “She was very warm, very friendly, very open. She talked a lot about community and how she wanted to find herself in the Davidson community.” Varnado was especially excited about Barker’s willingness to be involved in all aspects of student life, whether it be attending basketball games with her kids or making appearances at events around campus.
Outside of her new office in Chambers, students can find Barker staying active, reading a good book or simply spending quality time with her kids. Most importantly, she is eager to carry out her promise to integrate herself into the community. “I read a lot about how to be a better leader every single day. And so what I [want] from the faculty, staff and students at Davidson is for everybody to help me be a better leader. I want to be someone who can be a role model for students and who can lead my staff effectively, and I can’t do that without the help of the community.”
