Corris P.A. Davis is the Director of the Office of Academic Opportunity Programs (AOP) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). In that capacity, she directs the McNair Scholars Program and the Upward Bound Program. AOP also houses the Educational Talent Search Program, Upward Bound Math/Science, the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation and several campus based initiatives.
She attended UMBC as a Meyerhoff Scholar and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences. Because she believes “we learn not for the school, but for life”, she has completed graduate coursework in Molecular and Cellular Biology; and Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation; but holds a Master of Science in Information Technology from the University of Maryland University College. Corris is in the final stages of a PhD in Public Policy, focusing on the outcomes of affiliated first generation students.
She served on the board of the Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP) in presidential leadership from 2009 – 2013 and has served on the MEAEOPP Board of Directors in the past as role as the President Elect and then President of the Maryland Executive Council for Educational Opportunity. She has also participated in the MEAEOPP Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) and later became a member of the ELI faculty.
Corris has a vested interest in ensuring that the college access and completion staff are well trained. She has been a faculty member of the several TRIO training grants since fall 2010, including Priorities 2, 3, 4 and 6.
She was raised to believe “To whom much is given, much is expected,” and it is because of this belief that she is dedicated to providing the best she has to give.