Purdue Global announces new senior vice provost, dean appointments

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Global announced two new appointments to the leadership team, both effective immediately.

Sara Sander, of Rock Island, Illinois, has been appointed senior vice provost for student success. In this new role at Purdue Global, Sander will provide leadership and strategic direction with the goal of fostering student engagement, retention and graduation. She is overseeing key student areas including student success teams, the Center for Career Advancement, curriculum operations and technology, the library, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and strategic student success initiatives.

Miranda Brand, of the Houston area, has been appointed dean of Purdue Global’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. As dean, she will oversee more than 700 faculty members across 45 academic programs and five academic departments. Currently the college maintains more than 1,000 college-industry partnerships. The college serves almost 11,000 students who are pursuing degrees at the doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate levels, as well as certificates.

“I am excited to have Dr. Sander and Dr. Brand accept these key leadership roles,” said Carolyn Nordstrom, Purdue Global’s provost. “They have worked effectively together to improve student success, student experiences and outcomes in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, one of the largest colleges at the university. The senior vice provost is a new position for Purdue Global and reflects our commitment to continued innovation in enhancing student success.”

Sander has worked in online education since 1998. She served as a dean at Purdue Global and its predecessor since 2003. She earned her PhD from Capella University.

During Sander’s time as dean, the college has seen a continued increase in college-industry partnerships. Thirty percent of the partners have hired a graduate from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, increasing alumni participation through webinars, classroom visits and motivational stories for current students, and launching numerous student success initiatives by revising procedures to current best practices in higher education.

Brand previously served as associate dean, a role she held since 2011. She joined Purdue Global in 2006. Brand served for 20 years in public education in various roles, including teacher, curriculum coordinator, staff development presenter and school administrator. She earned her EdD at Nova Southeastern University.

“Dr. Sander and Dr. Brand are both dedicated to increasing opportunities and overall success rates for our students, especially as they persist through to graduation,” said Eva Nodine, Purdue Global’s chief financial and operating officer. “Their work is key in expanding our mission of empowering working adults as they earn degrees and developing a stronger, more educated and prepared workforce.”

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.