Purdue Global appoints Jennie Sanders as chief academic officer

The Western Governors University veteran joins the online university on July 13 with a remit spanning academic schools, student support, and the development of AI-integrated learning models.

Jennie Sanders, Purdue Global's new chief academic officer. Photo credit: Purdue Global photo/Kelsey Lefever

Purdue Global has appointed Jennie Sanders as chief academic officer and senior vice president, effective July 13, 2026, placing a 13 year Western Governors University leader in charge of academics and AI-integrated learning at Purdue's online university for working adults.

The appointment follows what Purdue Global describes as a highly competitive national search. Sanders will report to Purdue Global CEO Eva Nodine, and the chief academic officer role combines the university's current chancellor and provost positions.

In the role, Sanders will oversee all academic schools and student success units, student affairs and support services, and faculty support areas, and will drive the development of curriculum and AI-integrated learning models.

Sanders is a first-generation college graduate. She earned her PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from Cornell University and her bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Utah.

13 years at Western Governors University

Sanders joins from Western Governors University, where she held faculty and leadership roles from 2013 to 2026, most recently as vice president of experiential product management and interim vice president of product and technology. Her earlier positions include vice president of instruction, vice president of faculty experience and academic services, and director of faculty experience.

Sanders was Principal Investigator on a $500,000 Gates Foundation grant and led the design and launch of SagePath, Western Governors University's first decision intelligence capability, which blends causal modeling, AI, and human judgment. She reports that students receiving AI-guided faculty outreach through the initiative saw assessment attempt rates improve by seven percentage points and course completion by four percentage points.

As vice president of instruction she led a team of more than 1,300 people, managed an annual budget above $150 million, and improved course completion rates from 77.6 percent to 79.3 percent in FY2025.

AI and the working adult student

"Jennie is a forward-thinking leader and accomplished academic whose extensive experience and history of collaboration on large-scale projects will be instrumental in moving Purdue Global forward," says Nodine. "Her demonstrated passion and drive align perfectly with our students and culture, making her an ideal fit within Purdue Global."

Sanders says: "Purdue Global was created to provide access to high-quality education to working adult students for whom online learning is the best modality. I am delighted to start working with Purdue Global leadership, faculty and staff in expanding educational opportunities to more students."

She adds: "The future of education is full of exciting possibilities, especially as we look at AI and other emerging technologies in the classroom. We can leverage a masterful mix of technology and human connection as we work with students to prepare them for the changing workforce and help them achieve their goals."

Sanders officially starts on July 13. Purdue Global, a nonprofit public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University, offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees to working adults, with credit recognition for work experience, military service, and previous college study.