Current Position and Past Experience
Dr. Jennie M. Sanders serves as Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice President at Purdue Global, where she is the university’s senior academic leader. She oversees academic programs and operations, faculty development, student success, and the integration of emerging technologies into curriculum and learning delivery.
Dr. Sanders brings extensive experience spanning academic leadership, technology, and large-scale institutional operations. Prior to joining Purdue Global, she served as a vice president at Western Governors University, where she led transformations in instruction, faculty experience, and decision intelligence that improved student outcomes and included the development of the university’s first AI-guided intervention system.
A recognized voice on artificial intelligence and the future of higher education, Dr. Sanders has presented her work at major national conferences and events, including SXSW EDU, the ASU+GSV Summit, EDUCAUSE, and the ASU Agentic AI in Education Summit. Her work focuses on leveraging technology and innovation to expand access, improve student outcomes, and create more effective educational experiences.
Education, Honors, and Achievements
Dr. Sanders holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Utah. As a first-in-family college graduate, she brings a personal commitment to making transformative educational opportunities accessible to learners from all backgrounds.
Her professional achievements include leading large-scale academic and technology transformations, advancing the use of AI in education, and developing data-informed approaches to improve student success and faculty effectiveness. Through her leadership, she combines scientific training, academic expertise, and technology-driven innovation to help shape the future of higher education.
Personal Details and Community Involvement
Dr. Sanders loves learning and nature, is an avid reader, traveler, and experiential explorer. She lives in Utah with her spouse, three teenagers, and incorrigible goldendoodle, and they enjoy exploring the beautiful mountains and landscapes of the intermountain west by hiking, skiing, paddling, etc.
