COVID-19 has changed the world of higher education, as we all pivoted to new ways of working, teaching, learning, and conducting research. What will be the lasting result of the pandemic? Will our reliance on technology grow? What does the future of higher education look like? Join Max Blouw, President of RUCBC, as he leads a panel of three university and college presidents who will offer their visions for the future of higher ed.
Moderator
Dr. Max Blouw, C.M. PHD, ICD.D
President | Research Universities' Council of British Columbia
Dr. Max Blouw is the President of The Research Universities’ Council of British Columbia. He previously served as President and Vice-Chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University, and as Chair of the Council of Ontario Universities. Prior to that, he was professor of biology, and subsequently Vice-President Research, at the University of Northern British Columbia.
Dr. Blouw has BSc and MSc degrees from the University of Manitoba, a PhD in biology from the University of New Brunswick and is an Institute of Corporate Directors Certified Director. He received the Order of Canada in 2020 for his dedicated leadership as an academic administrator and for his advancement of evidence-based research at Canadian universities.
Panelists
Sherri Bell
President | Camosun College
Sherri’s entire career has focused on educational leadership, beginning in the K-12 system where her path started as teacher and culminated as Superintendent and CEO of the Greater Victoria School District, and then as President of Camosun College where, for the last six years, she has focused on enhancing the student experience at the college.
Dr. Alan Davis
President and Vice-Chancellor | Kwantlen Polytechnic University
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 held leadership positions at institutions in the United States and Canada, including roles at the British Columbia Open University, Athabasca University, Niagara College and Vancouver Community College. From 2008-2012 he served as President of Empire State College at the State University of New York.
Dr. Davis is a member of the Advisory Board of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, and has served on various committees and commissions in the US and Canada. He is past President and a Distinguished Member of the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education and is on the Board of the Collaboration for Online Higher Education Research.
Aside from his academic contributions through teaching and scholarship, Dr. Davis is also a published playwright.
Dr. Santa Ono
President and Vice-Chancellor | University of British Columbia
Santa J. Ono PhD FRSC FCAHS is the 15th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. He also serves as Chair of the U15 Group of Universities, on the Board of Directors of Universities Canada, and as Past Chair of Research Universities of British Columbia. He is a member of the Boards of Fulbright and MITACS.