Dr. Houston Davis

President Houston D. Davis is the 11th president of the University of Central Arkansas.

President Davis joins UCA from Kennesaw State University, where he served as interim president from June to November 2016. President Davis previously served as the executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer of the University System of Georgia. President Davis also previously served as the vice chancellor for academic affairs for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and functioned as the state’s liaison to the national Complete College America initiative. Prior to 2007, he served 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.

In addition to his past professional duties, he served in the role of director for the National Educational Needs Index project, a Lumina-funded initiative measuring educational, economic, and population pressures in the 50 states that influence policy and planning at local, regional, and national levels.

President Davis is also involved in research projects and writing in higher education governance, economic development and accountability issues, and serves on several national advisory groups on higher education policy, degree completion, academic preparation and accountability. He received his Doctor of Philosophy in education and human development at Vanderbilt University and his Master of Education in educational administration at Tennessee State University. President Davis earned his Bachelor of Science in political science at the University of Memphis.