Top 10 Chief Academic Officers - 2025

Valerie Martin Conley is a former Vice President and Chief Academic Officer with extensive experience across public and private institutions of all sizes. She began her career at the National Center for Education Statistics, gaining early exposure to diverse institutions and the power of data-informed decision-making.

Dr. Ying Iverson is a tenured educational leader with extensive experience in leading innovation, nurturing talent and driving transformation in academic settings. She brings a nuanced approach to developing and implementing strategic initiatives, consistently achieving excellence by shaping learning environments that adapt to evolving educational needs.

John Yellowlees is a strategic and collaborative educational leader focused on transforming learning experiences into meaning ful successes. His career spans roles in school administration, leadership in student services, and contributions to systemic educational improvements. Passionate about equity and innovation, Yellowlees champions comprehensive strategies that support diverse learners and advance long-term academic success. He inspires teams to collaborate and create inclusive environments that empower students for future careers and life challenges.

James Bennett, Chief Academic Officer at Ameritas College, is an educator and media artist who has spent his career pushing the boundaries of how learning happens. From broadcasting film history courses on public TV in the early '90s to pioneering adaptive learning and live-streamed instruction before online meeting tools like Zoom existed, he has consistently leveraged media and technology to make education more humane, accessible and practical.

Susanne Nobles is Chief Academic Officer at ReadWorks, a nonprofit edtech organization dedicated to expanding equitable learning. With over 30 years in education as a K–12 teacher, administrator, and adjunct instructor, she empowers educators and students through research-driven tools and strategies that support meaningful, effective learning across classrooms and communities.

Dr. Anastasia Wickham, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, is a nationally recognized academic leader with a background as a K–12 teacher and tenured professor at a large university. She brings deep expertise in teacher preparation, culturally responsive pedagogy, and communitybased learning. At the helm of a university advancing job-embedded apprenticeship degrees, she is reshaping higher education through hands-on, workforce-aligned programs that expand access, drive mobility, and transform communities.

Carolyn Scott, DBA, is an experienced academic leader and information assurance professional, active in higher education and technology management, with demonstrated expertise in curriculum development, university administration, and fostering innovation in academic programs for information assurance and computer science.

Jill Price, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN, is Chief Academic Officer at Chamberlain University, recognized for 31 years of nursing leadership. She specializes in higher education, accreditation, cardiovascular care, and innovative curriculum development, impacting global nursing excellence.

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer, Ph.D., serves as Provost, Executive Vice Chancellor, and Chief Academic Officer at the University of Kansas. She previously held leadership roles as provost and interim chancellor at UMKC and spent many years at Indiana University advancing instructional systems technology and online education. A four-time KU alum, she brings deep academic and institutional expertise to her role.

Rick Cohen is an accomplished education leader serving as Chief Academic Officer for Secondary Education at Edison Township Public Schools. With a strong focus on academic excellence, equity and innovation, he oversees curriculum development, instructional improvement and student achievement across all secondary schools.