Capella University chancellor to retire next month
Michael Offerman, president emeritus and chancellor of Capella University, will retire at the end of September, according to an announcement by Capella's parent company.
Offerman served as president of the Minneapolis-based online university from 2001 to 2007. He will remain president emeritus.
Here are more details from the Capella press release:
“Mike Offerman’s vision and dedication helped establish Capella as a leader
in higher education,” said Kevin Gilligan, chairman and CEO of Capella
Education Company. “Mike is a nationally respected voice because he has been
unafraid to challenge the status quo and push for increased accountability and
transparency across higher education. Mike’s focus on outcomes and adult
education has helped make Capella University what it is today. We wish Mike
well in his much deserved retirement,” Gilligan concluded.
“The last 10 plus years at Capella University has been a wonderful and
exciting gift,” said Offerman. “Few people have an opportunity to help create
a new university of any kind let alone one that is pioneering innovation in
serving adult students online with a strong commitment to high-quality
learning outcomes. The thing that inspired me to come to Capella after more
than 20 years in more traditional universities was the passion that I saw
demonstrated every day by Capella learners, faculty and staff. The amazing
thing is that the passion remains as strong today as the first time I
encountered it. I move on to the next phase of my life with a sense of pride,
joy and gratitude for having the opportunity to be a part of the Capella
family.”
“The best representation of Mike Offerman’s legacy at Capella is the thousands
of adult learners who have improved their lives thanks to a Capella University
degree,” said Deborah Bushway, PhD, interim president of Capella University.
“This Saturday when Capella graduates from around the world walk across the
stage at the Minneapolis Convention Center to receive their degree, they will
be a living testament to Mike Offerman’s leadership. I look forward to
continuing a great relationship with Mike going forward.”
Offerman has an extensive background in adult and distance learning and will
continue to be a frequent speaker at national conferences on these topics. He
has led a national consumer information and accountability effort for colleges
and universities serving adult students at a distance known as Transparency by
Design, which publishes the website College Choices for Adults. Prior to
joining Capella, Offerman held continuing education leadership positions at
the University of Arizona and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He
was also dean of the Division of Continuing Education at the University of
Wisconsin-Extension and founding executive director of the University of
Wisconsin Learning Innovations Center. Offerman received a Bachelor of Arts in
History from the University of Iowa, a Master of Science in Higher Education
Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Doctor of
Education in Educational Policy Studies at Northern Illinois University. He
has served on a number of national boards including the American Council on
Education, the University Continuing Education Association, and the editorial
board of Change Magazine.
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