Dr. D. Ryan King

Passionate about driving transformative change in higher education and regional economic development, with over 10 years of experience spanning healthcare innovation, research, and strategic leadership. Currently serving as Executive Director for Administration and Chief of Staff to the President at Roanoke College, I lead strategic planning, institutional communications, board relations, federal advocacy, and key external partnerships that advance the college's mission and deepen its community impact.As a first-generation college graduate with a Ph.D. in translational biology, medicine and health from Virginia Tech Carilion, I bring a unique perspective to higher education leadership—one rooted in the transformative power of education and informed by rigorous scientific training. My career has successfully bridged healthcare innovation and higher education administration, including previous work as an innovation manager at Carilion Clinic, where I led multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions at both pre-clinical and clinical levels.With a strong foundation in research, I have authored more than 20 manuscripts and hold a US patent. This scientific background, combined with my current focus on institutional strategy and community engagement, allows me to navigate complex challenges and foster collaborations that bring transformative ideas from concept to reality. At Roanoke College, I'm particularly focused on strengthening the college's role as a regional anchor institution, advancing entrepreneurship and innovation programming, and championing policies that support workforce development and economic opportunity—including early childhood care and education, where I serve on United Way of Virginia's Blue Ridge Public Policy and Community Impact committees.Committed to the evolving landscape of higher education and its critical role in regional prosperity, I am eager to leverage my diverse skill set to drive meaningful impact.