Thomas P. Jandris

Outstanding Achievement Award Recipient

College of Education and Human Development, May 4, 2011

Thomas P. Jandris received a Ph.D. in education from the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) from the University of Minnesota in 1978. Currently, he serves as the vice president of innovation at Concordia University Chicago, and is the founding dean of Concordia's College of Graduate and Innovative Programs. He is credited with helping to launch ten degree programs, including seven at the doctoral level, established several new departments, ramped up graduate-level online learning, and sparked 800% growth at Concordia University. Considered to be a national leader in education, he has served as advisor to the President of the United States, the Secretary of Education, and the Department of Education on drafting, passage, and implementation of the No Child Left Behind initiative. He served as the lead consultant to the Governor of Michigan and the Mayor's Office in Detroit during the reform takeover of the Detroit Public Schools. In addition, he was asked by Governor Jeb Bush and Commissioner Tom Gallagher in Florida to help implement a constitutional amendment to restructure the governance of Florida's entire education system. He is a successful entrepreneur and founder of several for-profit companies. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards and committees. As a member of the CEHD Dean's Advisory Board, he has assisted the college in identifying and pursuing innovative strategies to generate new sources of revenue and raise its public profile.

Biographies are as-of time of award presentation.