Episode 168- Innovating Through Debate: Insights with Paul Mabrey and Michael “Mike” Davis

Office Hours with John Gardner

Paul Mabrey is Director of Student Success Analytics and Associate Professor in Communication Studies at James Madison University. His work bridges holistic student success, data analytics, communication education, and civic engagement to improve the transformative impacts of higher education. At JMU, he leads the Early Student Success Quality Enhancement Plan and campus-wide student success & retention efforts, collaborating on campus-wide initiatives that integrate academic, well-being, basic needs, and co-curricular data to close success gaps and improve outcomes.

A scholar of debate pedagogy and democratic engagement, Paul has collaborated and published on how debate-based pedagogy can improve student learning, student success, and contribute to the civic mission of higher education. He has received grants and led projects supporting debate across the curriculum, data-informed student success, civic learning, and the integration of high-impact practices. Paul regularly presents nationally on student success, analytics, engaged pedagogy, and institutional transformation.

Dr. Michael “Mike” Davis began his tenure as the 27th President of Fairmont State University in July of 2023 and immediately committed himself to positioning Fairmont State as the best regional university in West Virginia.

Using the insights he gathered from listening to countless constituents ranging from students to faculty and staff, community members, business partners, international partners, and state legislators, he guided the creation of a robust Strategic Vision. This vision — for the University to become a Great Place to Learn, to Work, and to Call Home — will guide Fairmont State throughout the next decade as it seeks to educate engaged citizens in a community distinguished by opportunity, growth, and achievement, and delivers transformational impact for West Virginia and beyond.