IN COMMEMORATION OF THE LIFE & LEGACY OF DR. ALLAN CAHOON
Dr. Allan Cahoon
Global Changemaker
Dr. Allan Cahoon, President Emeritus of Sofia University (USA) and Honorary President of Shanghai Lida University (China) passed away on Friday the 4th of April 2024, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, after a 3-year battle with cancer.
Dr. Cahoon’s time at Sofia University, first as a member of the Board of Trustees (2018- 2019), then as Acting President (2020), followed by three years as President (2020-2023), and, most recently, as Sofia’s President Emeritus and a Sofia Research and Development Foundation Board Member, was a time of great joy for him. Throughout his residency, Dr. Cahoon brought much needed stability and continuity to Sofia University during a period of significant challenge. With effective leadership he galvanized faculty and staff in realizing a common vision for the University.
He simultaneously focused on Sofia’s role in Internationalization in Higher Education, enhanced the University’s global impact, and positioned Sofia for future success. Dr. Cahoon embraced Sofia, its Transpersonal Psychology roots, and its’ commitment to providing a transformative education. Not only did he institute innovative new programs, policies, and practices, he maintained an unwavering passion for fostering inclusivity and diversity. He sponsored Sofia’s first Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Accessibility Task Force and its subsequent initiatives. At a time when anti-Asian violence increased, Dr. Cahoon spoke out early and publicly about racism, discrimination, and virus-blaming related to the pandemic. In addition to supporting academic excellence, he spearheaded the development of the non-profit Sofia Research and Development Foundation which supports Sofia students in need, initiatives focused on equity, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility, and faculty and staff innovation.
Despite his diagnosis, Dr. Cahoon’s dedication to Sofia’s expansion, development, and growth both in the United States and abroad never wavered. Even during his medical treatments, he remained passionate about his work and the limitless possibilities that lay ahead. As many attested to at his Sofia retirement party, Dr. Cahoon also cared deeply for faculty, staff, and students. It is no surprise that Dr. Cahoon consistently identified himself on his resume and at conference presentations as “University Professor, Academic Lead & Changemaker, President, Sofia University” in that order. He wanted it known that he was, first and foremost, serving students and making positive change. Indeed, while serving as President, he continued to teach capstone classes and work with graduate students.
Prior to his tenure at Sofia University, Dr. Cahoon served for 12 years as President and Vice- Chancellor of one of Canada’s most innovative, special purpose public universities: Royal Roads University in Victoria, Canada. He was an admired leader and educator within the Royal Roads community. Under Dr. Cahoon’s leadership, Royal Roads became a beacon of 21st-century education, welcoming wider communities, developing international partnerships, and pioneering programs tailored for mid-career professionals. His keen business acumen played a pivotal role in shaping Royal Roads into a world-renowned institution. Dr. Cahoon’s dedication to blending online education with on-campus learning reflected his deep understanding of the learner’s evolving needs and the ever-changing landscape of global education. He was committed to ensuring that education was accessible to all. Dr. Cahoon’s initiatives, such as the President’s Aboriginal Support Bursary, the Allan Cahoon Global Advancement and Diversity Award, and the Allan Cahoon Scholarship, aimed at nurturing the next generation of scholars and leaders and left an important legacy for the University community.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Cahoon served as the Vice-President (Research and International) at the University of Regina (Canada) and as Professor of Organization Behavior and University and Faculty Administrator at the University of Calgary (Canada). He was also a dedicated and enthusiastic visiting professor in the United States, Australia, Hungary, Mexico, China, and the Netherlands.
Dr. Cahoon's narrative with China began with an invitation to Xi’an Jiaotong University in 1987, where he presented his research on gender dynamics in organizations. This visit initiated more than 30 years of fruitful collaboration, including his tenure as a visiting scholar at Hunan University. Witnessing the evolution of Chinese education, Dr. Cahoon believed in the critical role China would play in achieving the UN Sustainable Goals. He championed the need for youth to develop a global mindset and cross-cultural competencies, crucial for global collaboration.
Described as an old friend to China, Dr. Cahoon was a distinguished expert in researching China's higher education system, policy, and reform, particularly within the private higher education sector. His collaborations extended to prestigious bodies such as the China Education Association for International Exchange and The State Administration for Foreign Expert Administration (SAFEA), an agency responsible for recruiting foreign experts outside of mainland China (The name was transferred to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in March 2023). In 2019, Dr. Cahoon was appointed Honorary President of Shanghai Lida University. Beyond this, his outreach and influence in China encompassed more than 20 universities, impacting over 10,000 students with his insights on leadership, change management, and the importance of cross-cultural understanding. He encouraged young people in China to explore globally, famously asking, "Can fish see the water?"—a metaphor to inspire reflection on one’s culture and the importance of experiencing and understanding diverse cultures.
Dr. Cahoon’s leadership significantly propelled both Sofia University's and Royal Roads University’s expansion in China, facilitating collaborations with Fudan University, Shantou University, Shanghai Lida University, and Beifang International Education Group, in conjunction with a vast array of private universities across China. His final visit to China in September of 2023 served as a moving testament to the profound connections he had nurtured throughout his career. Engaging with long-standing colleagues, educational leaders, former students, and emerging partners, he laid the groundwork for future collaborative ventures that promise to enrich Sofia University and its broader community within China. His visit, characterized by an unmistakable zeal and dedication, profoundly impacted more than 300 of Sofia’s alumni and students. The commencement ceremony and various meetings held in Beijing and other cities in China became memorable occasions where his unwavering commitment and the depth of his influence were vividly on display, reinforcing his legacy in the hearts and minds of many.
An additional highpoint of Dr. Cahoon’s professional life included his volunteer work with the Inter-American Organization of Higher Education (IOHE). He resonated with their mission to strengthen higher education through educational cooperation and their values of Inter-Americanism, innovation, and inclusion. Dr. Cahoon served on the IOHE Executive Board (2013-2023), first as Vice-President for Canada in 2013-2015, then IOHE President (2015-2017), and, more recently, as past President from 2018-2023.
In all these roles as an esteemed administrator and leader of SOFIA University, Allan helped Sofia distinguish itself within the community of private universities and within the realm of higher education beyond.
However, the most lasting and dynamic legacy he engendered was the creation of the Sofia University Foundation – a groundbreaking vehicle for ongoing supplemental financial support of the students and faculty. It is the first fundraising entity of its kind within the world of for-profit universities.
Dr. Cahoon held a BA and MSc in International Administration from Brigham Young University and a Ph. D from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, specializing in Organization Theory and Development in Public Management. His research often focused on organizational change, cross-cultural understandings, and female leadership. In addition, he authored or co-authored over 20 chapters in books, 40 journal articles, and three case studies. Both his publications and presentations served an international community and included Canada, Hungary, China, Mexico, United States, Nova Scotia, Netherlands, Japan, Greece, Ireland, Chile, Holland, Australia, Slovakia, Yugoslavia, Spain, France, and Turkey. For almost 50 years, Dr. Allan Cahoon maintained a distinguished academic and research career throughout the world.
Allan Cahoon's legacy in fostering cross-cultural understanding and International educational collaboration shines brightly. His enduring spirit serves as a powerful catalyst, inspiring countless individuals to embrace openness, deepen mutual understanding, collaborate across cultures, and significantly advance the dialogue between East and West. By championing the development of lifelong learners proficient in cross-cultural communication, Dr. Cahoon has nurtured a fertile ground for academic and cultural exchanges that contribute to a broader, more inclusive worldview.