He served as the department head of CEMS for 15 years (1980-1995), followed by his leadership as Dean of the Institute of Technology (1995-2005), which is the University of Minnesota's college of physical science and engineering.
[7] During his time as Dean of IT, the college underwent several major renovations, including the new Mechanical Engineering Building and the restoration of Walter Library.
These additions expanded the capability of the college and provided locations for both the Science and Engineering Library as well as the Digital Technology Center.
In 2008, Davis accepted the role of Director of the BioTechnology Institute, the University of Minnesota's internal organization, focusing on advanced research, training, and interaction with industry in biological process technology, and he held this position until May 2009.
In 2008, the Minnesota Science and Technology Hall of Fame included him in its first class of inductees; this selection honors those Minnesotans that have had a lasting worldwide impact.