Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Dr. Alan Davis was appointed President of Kwantlen Polytechnic University September 1, 2012. A native of Reading, England, Dr. Davis has held leadership positions at renowned institutions in the United States and Canada, including roles at the British Columbia Open University, Athabasca University, Niagara College and Vancouver Community College. Most recently, he served as President of Empire State College at the State University of New York.

Dr. Davis is a member of the Board of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, and has served on various committees and commissions with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the American Council for Education. He is past President of the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education and is on the Board of the Collaboration for Online Higher Education Research.

Rajiv is responsible for the strategy and leadership of the Teaching & Learning Commons. This includes overseeing the development of resources, training, and other supports for faculty professional development, the enhancement and ongoing maintenance of KPU’s suite of learning technologies, and, currently, supporting the continuity of teaching and learning activities through the COVID-19 pandemic. Rajiv also oversees KPU's open education initiatives, including the creation, adaptation, and adoption of open educational resources, the zero textbook cost (ZTC) program, and support for open pedagogy and open education research. His portfolio also includes the development and execution of a new strategy for Continuing & Professional Studies and oversight of a Ministry-funded project designed to provide supports for experienced learners and working adults.  

Rajiv holds a doctorate in Social & Personality Psychology and a Master’s degree in Cognitive Science (both from UBC) and was previously a faculty member in the Psychology department at KPU. His teaching has been recognized by the Robert E. Knox Master Teacher Award in the Department of Psychology at UBC and the Dean of Arts Teaching Excellence Award at KPU.  

Rajiv is a ukulelist, a tennis player, and a retired professional dancer. 

Randall Heidt's portfolio includes: Marketing and Communications, Advancement and Alumni, Government and Community Relations. Randall is also the CEO of the KPU Foundation. Randall is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Randall has a Bachelor of Applied Communications from Mount Royal University, a Master’s of Leadership from Royal Roads University and a Professional Fundraising Certificate from Boston University. Randall also has more than 20 years of communications experience as a reporter, photographer, videographer, TV reporter, online editor and city editor. Randall has raised millions of dollars to help students reach their educational, career and life goals and is eager to work with everyone at KPU, and within the communities we serve, to help as many KPU students as possible.

Larissa Petrillo has been involved in experiential learning for a decade, beginning with the initial years of UBC’s Learning Exchange. Since that time, she has led more than a dozen community-engaged courses, most recently as the Coordinator of KPU's Certificate in NGO and Nonprofit Studies which sees regular collaboration with nonprofit partners. She currently serves a Fellowship in Experiential Education and Community Engagement at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and has co-developed KPU’s experiential learning website www.kpu.ca/experiential.