Kai Swanson

Kai Swanson is special assistant to Augustana College’s president, Steve Bahls, a position he’s held since 2005, though he's been on the staff of the college since his graduation in 1986. He grew up in Rock Island, just across Lincoln Park from campus. His past positions at Augustana include news editor for WVIK-Augustana Public Radio, public relations director, and editor of the Augustana College Magazine. In 2011, he served as interim general manager of WVIK. Kai serves on the boards of the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education, the Doris & Victor Day Foundation and St. Johns's Lutheran Church. He is president of the Augustana Historical Society, serves on the Board Professional Leadership Group of the Association of Governing Boards and is a nine gallon donor with the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. Since 1996, he has presented Concert Conversations prior to each Quad City Symphony Orchestra concert. He has led tours for Augustana alumni and others in nine countries.