• Phone: 760-768-5577
• Curriculum Vitae

Dr. David Kanaan is Chair of the Division of Professional Studies at SDSU Imperial Valley and Program Advisor for the SDSU Imperial Valley Homeland Security graduate program. His research includes state and local government performance and public policy effectiveness. Currently, David uses a variety of research methodologies, including structural equation modeling, to examine community adversity and public high school performance, as well as municipal capacity and economic development effectiveness. Dr. Kanaan served as Managing Editor of the peer-reviewed journal Public Administration Review (PAR) from 2017 – 2021 and has presented his research at conferences including the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), Urban Affairs Association (UAA) and Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM). Prior to a return to academia, David was an entertainment agent, marketing executive, business owner, candidate for public office, and publisher. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida Doctoral Program in Public Affairs (Ph.D.) and has published articles in the peer-reviewed journals Public Administration Review, Public Performance & Management Review, Public Integrity, Public Administration Quarterly, Journal of Public & Nonprofit Affairs, and others. David is also a Certified Nonprofit Professional through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. As Chair of the Division of Professional Studies, Dr. Kanaan was influential in bringing the Master of Science in Homeland Security program as well as a Social Work minor to SDSU Imperial Valley. David is married, lives in Imperial County, and was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan.