Student reporter Vivian Davis, who is pursuing bachelors degree with a concentration in Business and English from her location in Westtown, N.Y., recently interviewed new Empire State College president, Dr. Alan Davis.

To view President Davis' inauguration click here.

Dedicated to adult learners, Dr. Davis "looks forward to enhancing our educational experience, creating a synergy between online and offline students, and building upon Empire State College’s reputation." Read more about him in this Q&A interview below.

Q: Would you like to introduce yourself?
A: I am originally a chemist from England and I have lived in Canada for the past 35 years. Because of my background in chemistry, I was initially interested in teaching. I then made the change from a traditional teacher to a distance educator, which led to my deep interest in adult learners. I am now six months into my first job in the United States as Empire State College’s new president, and I am thoroughly enjoying it!

Q: What is your home town, where do you currently live, and do you have a family?
A: I was born in Reading, England, and came to North America in 1972. I am married, and I am a father to three adult daughters who live in British Columbia, and a son who is completing high school in Ontario.

Q: Which colleges did you attend and what degrees do you possess?
A: I earned a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in chemistry from Simon Fraser University, and a B.Sc. (Honors) in chemistry from the University of London.

Q: What previous positions have you held and where?
A: I have served as vice president of education at VCC and as vice president of Academic Learner Services at Niagara College in Ontario . I also served as vice president at Athabasca University in Alberta, which is Canada’s leading distance learning and online university which shares a similar mission to that of Empire State College. Prior to that position, I held numerous positions at BC Open University, Burnaby, such as director for science and humanities, director of administrative and applied studies, acting vice president, acting principal, institutional evaluation officer, Centre for Curriculum and Professional Development, Victoria, and elected chair of Natural Sciences, University College of the Fraser Valley.

Q: With your experience, you could have chosen many colleges to lead. Why ESC? What makes us so unique?
A: I learned about ESC while being part of a consortium. This participation created the opportunity for me to know that ESC would be a great complement to my years at Athabasca University (Canada ’s leading adult online learning institution) when I began looking for my next opportunity. I was also familiar with upstate New York and knew that I would enjoy living here.

Q: In your opinion, what will be Empire State College’s biggest growth area over the next five years?
A: As adult learners continue to pursue online education due to its flexibility, I see continued growth of our Center for Distance Learning and across the college as well. Center for Distance Learning students are not different than any other students; therefore, I want to get them connected to each other by creating a synergy between CDL and our other 35 locations. I also have noticed an increase in younger students being drawn to CDL because the flexibility of online learning allows them to work while attending Empire State College, and they are already comfortable with the necessary technology.

Q: There are different viewpoints about online education. What are Empire State College’s strengths? How will you address the weaknesses?
A: Empire State College has a fundamental undergraduate model of mentoring and learning. Thus, one of our strengths is that students can design their own degree programs. One of Empire State College’s weaknesses will become an asset as we seek to use new and emerging technology, such as social networking tools, which will enable students and instructors to connect to other locations. I want to transform a sometimes isolating experience for the online learner into a more connected experience.

Q: What is your commitment to technology?
A: I am currently undertaking some very exciting projects to build upon our mentoring/learning model in order for students to better achieve their goals. These applications and services will meet the needs of adult learners.

Q: Do you intend to increase the amount of degrees that are available on the undergraduate level?
A: ESC already has an open model that enables students to study anything based on the core bachelor's degrees. I do not see the need to build more or to get into niche programs. The one exception may be science because of the national shortage within this field.

Q: ESC has a very strong faculty base. How do you plan to recruit and retain our faculty?
A: We have been quite successful in attracting quality faculty. We are not suffering a shortage as other institutions, and I feel confident that we can maintain this. My focus will be on retaining them by providing the necessary support for faculty on the tenure track. We have a faculty development program that enables senior faculty to mentor other staff, which is something at which they excel.

Q: Can you tell our students what type of president you intend to be and what we can expect from you overall?
A: I am energetic, open, I say what is on my mind, and I like to engage with faculty, students and alumni. I want to hear directly from students. I especially look forward to the upcoming graduation ceremonies because this will afford me the opportunity to meet many students face-to-face. I travel around New York state each year in order to meet directly with students. I am a high-touch president as I am in high contact with the federal, national and international governments in order to increase and enhance Empire State College's reputation.

Q: As adult learners working online, what advice do you give to our students?
A: My advice is to "use" us. With our mentoring system and all the other supports being developed in CDL, there is a lot of help. Don't let any issues or problems sit for too long ... someone is there to help you, and we can only get better if we hear from you. Also, build linkages with your peers and help each other.