“The timing of course is awkward, and this was not the original plan at all,” said Davis during the webcast. “Empire State College is such an important institution, and it has a very bright future. I will do all I can to ensure a smooth transition and to build momentum in the next few months to ensure that initiatives that are key to achieving the college’s vision are sustained, so that the college will continue to emerge as one of the best of its kind in the country if not beyond.”
Davis began his tenure as president of Empire State College in 2008. He holds a bachelor’s in science (Honors) from the University of London and a master’s in science and Ph.D. in chemistry from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. Davis and his wife, Denise, have four children. He is also a published playwright and has had an active role in community theater troupes for years.
Davis studied and worked at traditional institutions in the United Kingdom and Canada, and he held leadership positions at the British Columbia Open University, Athabasca University, Niagara College and Vancouver Community College.
It’s with mixed emotions that Davis is leaving Empire State College, but he says that he and his wife will be happy to return home to Canada.
“The exciting opportunity in BC came unexpectedly but is one I am very well suited for, and it will take Denise and me back to our roots in western Canada,” said Davis.
SUNY Empire State College was established in 1971 to offer adult learners the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New York.
The college serves more than 20,000 students worldwide at more than 35 locations in New York state and online. Its 63,000 alumni are active in their communities as entrepreneurs, politicians, business professionals, artists, nonprofit agency employees, teachers, veterans and active military, union members and more
