Phyllis Davis is a cybersecurity educator and practitioner with extensive experience in technical instruction and curriculum design within higher education. She serves as a faculty member in the School of Business at Maryville University, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in cybersecurity, including CompTIA Security+, IT management, cyber defense controls, incident response, database systems, and operating systems.

Her teaching philosophy centers on hands-on, experiential learning that bridges theory with real-world cybersecurity practice. She designs immersive learning environments that develop students’ practical competencies in SQL, system administration, cyber defense, and cybersecurity operations through applied problem-solving and scenario-based exercises. Drawing on her experience in critical infrastructure, control systems, and operational workflows, she enhances students’ understanding of complex cybersecurity systems. Her courses emphasize incident-driven learning, analytical thinking, and workforce readiness aligned with national frameworks such as CAE-CD and NICE.

She is also a certified DACUM facilitator, leveraging structured job analysis methodologies to map competencies, skills, and learning outcomes directly to employer expectations.

Her technical background includes experience in critical infrastructure, database systems, cyber defense operations, project management, and incident response, with a focus on developing analytical and decision-making skills in dynamic environments.

Phyllis Davis is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education leadership, where her research focuses on leadership effectiveness using John C. Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership framework. Her work examines the relationship between leadership behaviors, employee engagement, and workforce stability in higher education, with the goal of strengthening leadership practice and organizational outcomes.

Her work bridges cybersecurity education, industry alignment, and leadership development to prepare both technically skilled professionals and effective organizational leaders.