Prior to his role with ATD, Dr. Roger Stanford was the president of Western Technical College, a position he started in 2017 after serving as vice president of academic affairs. Prior to coming to Western Technical, he had roles of increasing responsibility at Chippewa Valley Technical College, most recently as the vice president of instruction.
Known as a teacher’s teacher, Dr. Stanford has helped coach hundreds of instructors as they transition from field technicians to master instructors. He led numerous curricula, instructional design, leadership, culture, engagement, and professional development efforts over his career — most notably the creation of data dashboards and the use of standardized analytics across the college as it transitioned to shortened terms. His passion for stronger outcomes is rooted in the desire to show continuous improvement in transitioning new students to graduates.
Dr. Stanford is a veteran of the United States Air Force and is a strong advocate for veteran students and programs that support these students. He served on numerous professional, civic, and educational boards, including as chair of Alliance for Innovation and Transformation, Health Science Consortium, and Wisconsin Presidents Association. Civically, Dr. Stanford is a Rotarian and serves by supporting veterans with Freedom Honor Flights.
Education:
Ph.D. (Curriculum and Instruction) | Capella University
MEPD (Education and Professional Development | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
B.S. (Marketing Education) | University of Wisconsin-STOUT
Associate Degree (Marketing Management) | Chippewa Valley Technical College
Past Experience:
President | Western Technical College, La Crosse, WI
Vice President of Academic Affairs/Learning | Western Technical College and Chippewa Valley Technical College
Dean of College Curriculum & Professional Development | Chippewa Valley Technical College
Associate Professor of Education | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Associate Dean of Business | Chippewa Valley Technical College
How has education changed your life/your family?
As the first in my family to achieve a college education, I feel honored to work in a field that has given so much to our entire family. Working and leading in the two-year college system has been a fulfilling way to give back to a system that changed my life. The opportunity to work in a field that helps all students find success while improving their economic and social mobility is truly a privilege.