Davidson named Alaska Pacific University president

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Former Lt. Gov. Valerie Davidson has been named president of Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage.

The university announced the appointment Tuesday. Davidson will succeed Bob Onders in the role on April 25. She will be the first woman to serve as the institution’s president, the university said.

Davidson was state health commissioner under then-Gov. Bill Walker and became his lieutenant governor in late 2018, shortly before Walker left office, after Byron Mallott resigned from the post.

She was one of 21 applicants for the role as president, the university said.