AUSTIN, Texas—Dr. King Davis, executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at The University of Texas at Austin since 2003, will leave his position at the conclusion of his contract next year.
He will return to his position as a professor in the School of Social Work, where he holds the Robert Lee Sutherland Chair in Mental Health and Social Policy. The university will conduct a national search for a replacement.
"I am very pleased with the progress the Hogg Foundation has made in the past five years," Davis said. "We have been able to build on the legacy of our former directors, staff and advisers while introducing new directions, priorities and strategies in mental health philanthropy. Ima Hogg (founder of the Hogg Foundation) recognized that there would be tremendous changes in scientific knowledge about mental health that would require changes in our approach to services, science, public education, policy and practice in Texas."
"With Dr. Davis’ guidance, the foundation revitalized its mission, vision, goals and practices and has made a significant contribution to Texas as well as the nation," said Dr. Gregory J. Vincent, vice president for diversity and community engagement.
Davis recently was appointed to a three-year term on the Center for Mental Health Services National Advisory Council. The council makes recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in the areas of substance abuse and mental health services.
Davis has held the Robert Lee Sutherland Endowed Chair in Mental Health and Social Policy in the School of Social Work since 2000, when he joined the university. His areas of expertise include mental health policies and large systems administration, especially as related to families of color and severe mental illness. His research focuses on mental health finance, organizational cultural competence and the impact of mental health policy as a vehicle for change in mental health systems.
Davis was a professor of public mental health policy and planning at the Virginia Commonwealth University from 1984 to 2000. In addition, he held professorships at each of Virginia’s medical schools from 1985 to 1988 as the Galt Scholar. From 1998 to1999, he held the William and Camille Cosby Endowed Chair at Howard University. Also in 1998, he was appointed to the Libra Endowed Chair in the School of Business and Public Policy at the University of Maine.
Davis taught at Norfolk State University School of Social Work from 1974 to 1984 and earned a doctor’s degree from the Florence G. Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University in 1971. He holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in social work from California State University in Fresno, Calif.
A former commissioner of the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services from 1990 to 1994, Davis is co-author of "The Color of Social Policy," published in 2004.
For more information contact: Deb Duval, Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement, 512-232-7599.
