NACCE Member Spotlight: Dr. Lily Davidov, Rio Salado College

Meet Dr. Lily Davidov, Faculty Chair of Accounting and Small Business at Rio Salado College and a NACCE member since 2019. With a passion for innovation and student success, Dr. Davidov exemplifies how to fully embrace the power of the NACCE community to drive meaningful impact in entrepreneurial education.

A Family of Innovators
For Dr. Davidov, NACCE is more than just a professional association—it’s a collaborative family united by shared values and a collective mission. “We have the same goals, same passion, and a shared definition of success,” she says. “The support available to me and my students is incredible.”

Empowering Students with Everyday Entrepreneur
Receiving the Everyday Entrepreneur Grant, supported by Stuart and Chip Weismiller, has been a game-changer. “It’s providing tremendous opportunities for our Rio students to hone their skills and build their own businesses,” Lily explains.

Local & National Connections
NACCE has also strengthened Lily’s ties within the Maricopa Community Colleges, creating interdisciplinary connections with faculty outside her field. These unexpected partnerships have opened new doors for collaboration and expanded resources available to students.

Adapting NACCE Resources to Rio’s Model
At Rio Salado, where courses are asynchronous with rolling start dates, Lily has skillfully adapted NACCE’s offerings to meet the unique needs of her students—including launching an asynchronous pitch competition. This aligns beautifully with Rio’s mission to “support learners where they are.”

A Pivotal Moment
One memorable moment came when Lily attended a NACCE conference alongside a student and met with the Weismillers. “They immediately saw how we could deepen our approach to serving adult learners,” she reflects. “Their insight brought a fresh perspective that built on our existing strengths.”

Advice for New Members
“Get involved,” Lily advises. “Listen to what others are doing. You'll find fresh ideas and renewed inspiration.” She calls NACCE’s Level I & II consortiums and the Verizon initiative some of her most valuable professional development experiences.

Why Join NACCE?
“Start with the annual conference,” she recommends. “You’ll connect with like-minded professionals, learn from incredible speakers, and walk away with skills to elevate your program. Then, find a peer to exchange ideas with—and a mentor to help you level up.”

👏 Thank you, Dr. Davidov, for your leadership, creativity, and commitment to empowering students through entrepreneurial thinking!