Angie Besendorfer

Dr. Angie Besendorfer is a servant leader highly respected for implementing innovations in K12, higher education and workforce development. She is the recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award which gained her national recognition across the education sector. Notably, Angie led the recovery and rebuilding efforts of Joplin Schools after the devastation of an EF-5 tornado. Additionally, she was honored with the John C. Maxwell Leadership Top 100 Award, the Governor's Leadership Coin, and named one of Ingram’s 50 Missourians You Should Know. Angie’s career has focused on supporting individuals to achieve economic mobility through education. In her current role as Chief Learner Experience and Success Officer at the University of Maryland Global Campus, she leads higher education transformation in the nation’s largest public university. Angie has served as Chief Impact Officer at AstrumU utilizing AI to empower individuals in the skills economy. Angie was Executive Vice President at KC Scholars where she was instrumental in creating the Great Jobs KC workforce development initiative. She was the first to hold the role of Chancellor of Western Governors University Missouri and ultimately advanced to WGU’s Regional Vice President. Her early career in K12 was that of teacher, principal, and superintendent in economic underserved schools. Angie holds a Bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University, a Master’s from University of Central Missouri, and a Doctorate from University of Missouri Columbia. Her passion for empowering people through education is evident in all her endeavors.