Spotlight: Dr. Alan Price, Dean of Science, Math, Climate & Conservation
Published on Sep 5 2025It has been three months since College of the Redwoods welcomed Dr. Alan Price as Dean of Science, Math, Climate & Conservation. In that short time, Dr. Price has already begun settling into life on campus—still learning names, finding shortcuts, and searching out the best coffee spots, all while supporting faculty and staff in their mission to change students’ lives.
Dr. Price’s path to CR is both wide-ranging and inspiring. With more than 20 years in higher education, he has served as Dean of Academic Affairs, Dean of Engineering, assistant professor, and community college adjunct in Wisconsin. Most recently, he spent a decade at Santa Barbara City College focusing on Career Technical Education programs. Before his career in education, he worked as an engineer, in construction, and even on a bee farm. Those early jobs convinced him to enroll in a community college—an experience that he says changed everything.
“I barely graduated high school—not for lack of ability, but interest,” he shares. “My goals were ‘be a rock star’ and ‘grow my hair.’ A few reality checks later, I enrolled in a California community college. That choice led to a B.S. and M.S. in engineering and a Ph.D. in Information Systems & Technology. Community college changed my life, full stop.”
Resilience has been a constant theme in Dr. Price’s journey. His daughter’s breast cancer diagnosis at age 26 and his mother’s battle with leukemia were among the most difficult challenges he’s faced. “Perseverance, faith, and looking for the good—even tiny pieces of it—helped me through,” he says. Those experiences, he adds, shape how he approaches leadership today: “Our lived experiences remind me to listen first, stay curious, and give people grace. We’re all carrying something.”
New to Humboldt County, Dr. Price moved north at the end of May and has already fallen in love with the area. “I arrived for my interview tired from a long drive and under an umbrella—classic Humboldt welcome,” he recalls. “Even so, the campus was stunning and everyone was genuinely welcoming.” The real “wow moment” came on the drive back south: “Redwoods, rivers hugging 101, and rolling into Richardson Grove. Unreal.”
Beyond the office, Dr. Price’s interests are as eclectic as his career. Once a guitarist in a heavy metal band, he later took up rock climbing before turning to Harley rides and airbrushing. More recently, he has even taken up lockpicking—“just-for-fun puzzles,” he says. His favorite color is a sparkling pearl-lime green, his favorite animal is the German Shepherd (“though now that I live here, I should probably say Bigfoot”), and his favorite food is anything beef—though he admits he’s working on embracing more seafood in Humboldt.
Still, what brings him the most joy circles back to his work. “Watching students have an ‘I can do this’ moment, swapping ideas with colleagues, and quiet mornings with coffee under the redwoods,” he says.
When asked what advice he would offer to new faculty members, Dr. Price doesn’t hesitate: “Enjoy the ride. You’ll make mistakes—improve one class at a time. Set high expectations, be flexible when life happens, and encourage like crazy. Nurture students, and give a friendly nudge when they stall. The work you put in matters—and so does theirs.”
As he looks ahead, Dr. Price is eager to connect. “I’m grateful to be here. If you see me around, say hi—let’s grab coffee and talk students, ideas, or the best local trails. My door’s open, and I’m excited to partner with you to help our students thrive.”