Director of Strategic Initiatives and Advocacy (He/Him/His)
David P. Shields, Jr., is WMPC’s first Director of Strategic Initiatives and Advocacy. David is a highly accomplished leader and educator in the field of higher education. David bring over 25 years of executive, teaching, project management, and leadership experience to WMPC including 25 years as the Chief Student Affairs Officer at several Universities, more than 30 years of leadership roles within community non-profit organizations, and a deeply held belief in making a positive and lasting difference in his community and supporting children and families.
He is a consummate public speaker on topics such as engaging new career professionals, effective non-profit board management, community leadership development, media relations and crisis communications, servant leadership and many more. He has been a change management consultant for numerous colleges and universities and community non-profit organizations, nationally and internationally, including Johns Hopkins University, Hope College, American University of Ras Al Khaimah,UAE, United Way, and the City of Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Prior to his new role at WMPC, David served as the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of North Alabama, Senior Director of Student Affairs at Penn State University, Altoona College; Director of Student Activities and the Reed Student Union Building at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College; Director of Greek Life and Small Group Housing at Case Western Reserve University, and most recently as a Manager at Gun Lake Casino.
David graduated with a BS in Pre-Law/Criminal Justice from Youngstown State University, a MA in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University and is completing an Ed.D. in Administrative and Policy Studies (ABD) from University of Pittsburgh.
David finds his greatest joy being a husband to Teryl, father to Megan, Morgan, Mandy, Matthew and Emily, grandfather to Jackson, Madison, Owen and a new little one on the way. David is an avid runner and fly fisherman.