Vice President of Academic Affairs Finalists
Kevin Hartshorn, Ph.D.
Kevin Hartshorn, Ph.D., 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, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. His leadership is defined by the belief that data-informed logic and human-centered connection are both required to drive institutional excellence.
As a senior administrator, Hartshorn is a “fixer” of fragmented processes. At Central Community College, he unified the onboarding experience across four campus locations, consolidating separate registration and orientation events into a single, high-impact day that improved coordination and student clarity. Similarly, at St. Cloud State University, he managed the university-wide reorganization of advising and success coaching staff, creating new leadership structures — associate directors — to deepen staff connection and operational effectiveness. His ability to bridge administrative silos was further evidenced by oversight of “International Registration Day,” a massive logistical undertaking that successfully onboarded over 150 international students within a 24-hour window.
Hartshorn’s commitment to faculty rapport is rooted in his time as a tenured professor and department chair. At Moravian University, he achieved a milestone in shared governance by pulling together the institution’s first clear and comprehensive faculty handbook, removing years of inconsistencies and establishing a transparent, sustainable process for regular updates. His strategic focus on student persistence led to the launch of the Starfish early-alert system, which contributed to a 9% increase in student retention during his tenure as dean of student success. He also championed the development of “The Bunker,” Moravian’s first dedicated space for veteran and military-connected students, ensuring that those who served have a home on campus.
Beyond his administrative record, Hartshorn remains a dedicated educator who uses analytic thinking to ensure no student population is left behind. Whether designing ethnomathematics curricula or exploring accelerated degree pathways, his work is always connected to the human story. He is an innovative thinker who has led faculty workshops on the ethical integration of technology and the practical application of creative critical thinking.
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 homebrewing beer and roasting his own coffee — pursuits that reflect his appreciation for the precision and care required for a job well done.
Jennifer Oswald, Ed.D.
Jennifer “Jen” Oswald, Ed.D., is an academic leader whose career is defined by a deep commitment to rural education and the transformative power of community-centered learning. The Oklahoma Panhandle served as the backdrop for her early life and career, instilling in her a lasting commitment to resilience, hard work, and the collaborative spirit of rural schools. Raised in Guymon, Oswald began her journey in the classroom at Beaver Public Schools. It was there that she 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.
For the past 14 years, Oswald and her family have called Alva, Oklahoma, home. During her tenure at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, she transitioned into higher education and steadily advanced into executive leadership. Her long-term commitment to a single Institution reflects her leadership philosophy: that meaningful Institutional change requires longevity, consistency, and a deep Investment In the local community. Whether co-founding the Alva Elementary Booster Club or serving on local grant-writing teams, she defines her leadership and community involvement through a dedicated approach to service. She believes the strongest bonds are built through active participation, a philosophy she carries into both her professional role and her life as a neighbor and parent.
As the Oswald family looks to relocate to Wyoming, they are seeking a community to call home. 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.
John Shannon, Ph.D.
John Shannon, Ph.D., 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 for 24 years to his wife, Grace, who has a bachelor’s degree in commerce, is a full-time registered nurse, and manages rental properties. Together they greatly enjoy camping, gardening, watching movies, and traveling. In fact, the two of them have visited about 15 countries and look forward to the opportunity to explore more places in the future.
As a young adult, Shannon had the good fortune to serve his country both as a soldier in the U.S. Army and later as a volunteer in the U.S. Peace Corps. His Army experience was mostly overseas, where he earned the Army Achievement Medal, among other awards. In the Peace Corps, he worked as a special education teacher in Tunisia, North Africa, which is where he had his foundational teaching experiences and where he gained an appreciation for the important work being done by educators.
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 work in higher education has always been centered on student success and finding ways to help students develop as learners and grow as people. In every role he has had as an academic leader, he has tried to motivate his team to strive to continuously improve, assure the highest possible quality in their endeavors, and interact with professional integrity in all that they do, all the while maintaining their focus on students and their success.
His view is that when people are inspired to do the right things in the right way, excellence ensues. When students are put first in the decision-making process, they thrive. When innovation is promoted, positive change occurs. 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.