Houston D. Davis, Ph.D.

Prior to becoming President of UCA, President Davis was interim President of Kennesaw State University in Georgia. In addition, he served as Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer of the University System of Georgia from 2012 to 2017. Before his role in Georgia, President Davis served as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education from 2007 to 2012. He has served, also, as Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Tennessee Board of Regents, on faculty and in academic leadership for Austin Peay State University, in fiscal and academic affairs for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, and as a regional counselor for the University of Memphis.

President Davis is involved in research projects and writing in the areas of higher education governance, economic development, and accountability issues in higher education and serves on several national advisory groups on higher education policy, degree completion, academic preparation, and accountability.  He received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and possesses additional degrees from the University of Memphis and Tennessee State University.  He and his wife, Jenny, have three children – Polly (20), Whitney (17), and Joshua (14).

President Davis teaches CSPA 6311 – Leadership and Supervision in Higher Education/Student Affairs