Early Bird

Final candidates announced for AVP of Human Resources position

Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend open forums to meet JaCenda Davidson, John Elliot, Paula Gibson and David Tomanio.

By Lindsey Coulter

February 13, 2019

JaCenda Davidson, John Elliot, Paula Gibson and David Tomanio, candidates to become associate vice president of Human Resources, will visit Metropolitan State University of Denver this week and next week to participate in open forums and Q&A sessions with faculty, staff and students. The position, and successful candidate, will play a critical role in helping us to continue to improve the campus climate and make MSU Denver one of the best places to work in Colorado.

“The AVP of Human Resources position is one of the most important positions at the University,” said George Middlemist, associate vice president for Administration/CFO interim vice president for Administration. “I hope that everyone will have a chance to chat with the candidates at their open forum or one of the other scheduled interview activities.”

Learn more about each candidate and when they will visit below.

John Elliot – Today

John Elliot, MBA, is interim chief human-resources officer for the University of Louisville and senior vice president and chief human-resources officer for University Medical Center/University of Louisville Physicians. He received a Bachelor of Science in international business and finance from the State University of New York and earned an MBA from the Sorrel School of Business at Troy State University. He further completed Executive HR Management Training at the Anderson School of Management at UCLA.

Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend Elliot’s open session today in JSSB 350A from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Paula Gibson – Friday

Paula Gibson is chief human-resources officer for the City of Centennial, prior to which she served as director of human resources and project management for Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. and as vice president of human resources for Avondale Financial Corp. Gibson earned a Bachelor of Science in communication from Northwestern University and is a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach and certified trainer of the William Bridges Leading Organizational Transition program.

Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend Gibson’s open session in JSSB 330C from 2:15-3:15 p.m.

David Tomanio – Feb. 18

David Tomanio is assistant vice president of human resources for Florida Atlantic University, prior to which he served as director of human resources for Trade Street Residential. He is a doctoral candidate in educational leadership at Florida Atlantic University, where he also received a master’s degree in education with a focus on educational leadership. Tomanio also holds a master’s in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in management and industrial relations.

Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend Tomanio’s open session in JSSB 330C from 2:15-3:15 p.m.

JaCenda Davidson – Feb. 19

JaCenda Davidson holds a doctorate in education with a focus on leadership and professional practice and a master’s degree in organizational management from Trevecca Nazarene University as well as a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Covenant College. She most recently served as vice president and chief human-resources officer for Fisk University, prior to which she served as the university’s director of human resources. Davidson also served as employee-relations and compensation manager for University of the South.

Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend Davidson’s open session in JSSB 330C from 2:15-3:15 p.m.