Casper College vice president finalists: Community urged to attend open forums

An aerial drone view shows the campus of Casper College in Casper, Wyoming. The college has announced three finalists for the position of vice president of academic affairs, with public forums scheduled for March 9 through March 11, 2026. (Casper College photo)

“I am pleased to announce that we have finalists for the next vice president of academic affairs of Casper College,” said Brandon Kosine, Ed.D., president. The three finalists are Jennifer Oswald, Ph.D., John Shannon, Ph.D., and Kevin Hartshorn, Ph.D.

Each candidate will spend a day at Casper College, where they will participate in several interviews, including the Candidate Presentation and Open Forum, which is open to all employees and community members.

According to Kosine, the search committee had a big job narrowing down the list of 26 successful applicants submitted to the college by ACCT Searches. “After conducting intensive reviews, interviews, and deliberation, they forwarded the three finalists from the competitive pool we received. I want to thank the search committee for their hard work,” said Kosine.

Jennifer “Jen” Oswald, Ed.D.

Oswald will be on campus Monday, March 9. According to her biography, Oswald has been an academic leader for over 14 years. She is currently the chair of the Division of Education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and serves as the division’s chief administrative officer. She is recognized for her ability to align academic programming with workforce demands while fostering a culture of transparency, shared governance, and student-centered success.

Raised in Guymon, Oklahoma, Oswald began her journey as a teacher at Beaver Public Schools. At BPS, Oswald established her foundational roots, both professionally as a dedicated educator and personally as she met and married her husband, Nick. These early years as a classroom teacher and reading specialist shaped her student-centered philosophy, teaching her that the heart of any community lies in the strength of its local schools.

Oswald is eager to bring her two decades of experience to Casper College, where she aims to foster a culture of shared governance and support faculty excellence. Whether cheering for their son Rett at middle school sports and band events or supporting Casper’s local arts and athletics, Oswald and her family are ready to become fully invested members of the Casper community, dedicated to its schools, its students, and its future.

Education

• Doctor of Education in Reading and Literacy, Capella University
• Master of Education in Reading Specialist, Northwestern Oklahoma State University
• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Northwestern Oklahoma State University
• Bachelor of Arts in History and Social Studies, Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Candidate Presentation and Open Forum

• Monday, March 9
• 1:30–2:20 p.m.
• Robert and Ruth Dove Conference Center, Room 225
• Walter H. Nolte Gateway Center
• Community members are invited and urged to attend

John Shannon, Ph.D.

Shannon will be on campus Tuesday, March 10. According to his biography, Shannon served as a faculty member, department chair, program director, academic dean, vice president for academic affairs, interim vice president for advancement, provost and senior vice president, and university president.

His educational background includes earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh, a master’s degree in applied linguistics from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and a doctorate in foreign and second language education with a specialization in cognitive psychology and human learning from The Ohio State University. As his studies progressed, he acquired a love of learning that propelled him into a career in higher education, where he has been ever since.

His goal at Casper College would be to inspire confidence, motivate others to excellence, and promote innovation while always keeping the focus on student success.

Shannon has always had a life anchored by family. He is the youngest of seven children, originally from Rochester, New York, and his identity was shaped in those early years surrounded by his many siblings. He now has three children and three grandchildren of his own and has been married to his wife, Grace, for 24 years. Together, they greatly enjoy camping, gardening, watching movies, and traveling.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy in Foreign and Second Language Education, The Ohio State University
• Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, State University of New York at Plattsburgh

Candidate Presentation and Open Forum

• Tuesday, March 10
• 1:30–2:20 p.m.
• Robert and Ruth Dove Conference Center, Room 225
• Walter H. Nolte Gateway Center
• Community members are invited and urged to attend

Kevin Hartshorn, Ph.D.

Hartshorn will be on campus Wednesday, March 11. According to his biography, Hartshorn is a seasoned academic executive with over 20 years of experience leading complex institutional shifts in higher education. Currently a resident of the region, Hartshorn has served in senior leadership roles at Central Community College, St. Cloud State University, and Moravian University.

A mathematician who views his discipline through the lens of the liberal arts, his leadership is defined by the belief that data-informed logic and human-centered connections are both required to drive institutional excellence.

A direct and results-oriented leader with over two decades of experience in faculty and administrative roles, Hartshorn has proven success in leading transitional change, fostering shared governance, and removing institutional barriers to student and faculty success.

Hartshorn and his wife are proud to call the Mountain West home. They have two children: one, a recent graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, and the other, a high school senior planning to start at CU Boulder this fall. Outside of the office, Hartshorn is an avid walker of his English cocker spaniel and enjoys the craft of home brewing beer and roasting his own coffee — pursuits that reflect his appreciation for the precision and care required for a job well done.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics, University of California, Berkeley
• Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, University of Notre Dame

Candidate Presentation and Open Forum

• Wednesday, March 11
• 1:30–2:20 p.m.
• Robert and Ruth Dove Conference Center, Room 225
• Walter H. Nolte Gateway Center
• Community members are invited and urged to attend

At a Glance: Casper College Vice President Finalist Forums

• Event: Public open forums for three finalists for the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Casper College.
• Jennifer Oswald, Ed.D. Forum: Monday, March 9, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
• John Shannon, Ph.D. Forum: Tuesday, March 10, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
• Kevin Hartshorn, Ph.D. Forum: Wednesday, March 11, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
• Location: Robert and Ruth Dove Conference Center, Room 225, Walter H. Nolte Gateway Center.
• Public Invitation: All community members and employees are urged to attend.