Dr. Davis, wearing the KPU President’s regalia, which was designed by KPU alumna Sam Stringer and pays homage to the traditions of the First Nations in the region that KPU serves.
Dr. Alan Davis was appointed President of Kwantlen Polytechnic University September 1, 2012. A native of Reading, England, Dr. Davis studied chemistry at University College London, and at Simon Fraser University, where he was awarded his PhD in chemistry in 1980.
He then taught chemistry for 12 years at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Dr. Davis has held leadership positions at institutions in the United States and Canada, including the British Columbia Open University, Athabasca University, Niagara College and Vancouver Community College. From 2008-2012 he served as President of Empire State University at the State University of New York.
Dr. Davis is past President and a Distinguished Member of the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education, and has served on various committees and commissions in the U.S. and Canada.
He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, the President’s Council for the University of Illinois, the Council of Presidents for the Association of Governing Boards, and the Management Board of the Ontario College Quality Assurance Service.
Aside from his academic contributions through teaching and scholarship, Dr. Davis is also a published playwright. The President also provides a video update to the university community on a relevant topic.