Jennie M. Sanders, PhD

Jennie M. Sanders, PhD, is Purdue Global's Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice President. As 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 delivery.

Sanders brings a distinctive combination of academic depth, technology leadership and large-scale operational experience. Before joining Purdue Global, Sanders served as vice president at Western Governors University, where she led transformations across instruction, faculty experience, and decision intelligence that measurably improved student outcomes and introduced that university’s first AI-guided intervention system.

Sanders is a recognized voice in the national conversation on AI and the future of higher education. She has presented her work at SXSWEdu, the ASU+GSV Summit, Educause and the ASU Agentic AI in Education Summit. 

Sanders holds a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Utah. She is a first-in-family college graduate and brings a trailblazer’s vision, creativity and tenacity to her work of making transformative experiences accessible to every learner. She enjoys hiking, paddling and skiing in the mountains with her spouse, three sons and an incorrigible goldendoodle.