WGU Missouri is pleased to announce that Dr. Jim Chandler, of Wentzville, has joined the nonprofit, online university as Strategic Partnerships Manager. In his new role, Chandler will work to expand WGU’s partnership network and further develop employer relationships across the state of Missouri, while raising awareness of the university’s educational programs.
Chandler brings more than 25 years of academic leadership experience to WGU Missouri. For nearly a decade, he served as superintendent of schools for two school districts in Missouri. Up until his retirement in 2017, he served as superintendent for the Warren County R-III School District in Warrenton. There, he was responsible for collaborating with the board of education to lead the district, which was made up of over 3,200 students and 510 employees across five schools and early childhood and alternative centers. Chandler also served four years as superintendent of schools for Winfield R-IV School District in Lincoln County, which is made up of four schools, 1,550 students and 240 employees. His efforts leading both districts resulted in growth in language arts, math and science, and led to an increase in test scores, attendance and graduation rates.
His background also includes serving as a high school principal, assistant principal, district activities director and physical education teacher, as well as the director of career and adult education for the Nevada R-V School District and as an adjunct instructor at William Woods University. He has also coached basketball, football and golf over the years and most recently served as the head women’s basketball coach at Blackburn College in Carlin, Ill.
Chandler holds an Educational Doctorate (Ed. D.) in Educational Leadership from St. Louis University, an Educational Specialist (Ed. S.) degree in Educational Leadership from William Woods University, a Master of Arts in Secondary Administration from William Woods University and a Bachelor of Arts in K-12 Physical Education from Blackburn College.
“We are so thrilled to welcome Jim to our team,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri. “WGU’s partnership efforts are vital to increasing student access, improving affordability and enhancing the student experience, and his extensive background in education and executive leadership makes him the perfect fit for the strategic partnerships manager position. We look forward to working with him as we continue our efforts to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education in the state of Missouri.”
WGU Missouri is a competency-based, online university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members provide one-on-one guidance, support, and instruction.
Established through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $7,000 per year for most programs.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*).
More information is available at missouri.wgu.edu or by calling 855.948.8493.
*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).
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For more information, contact:
Pamela Powell
(314) 436-9090
pam@hausergrouppr.com