Teresa Spaeth

Entrepreneurial, innovative executive with extensive transformational change leadership within highly dynamic environments. Analytical professional talented in successfully building data-driven innovation eco-systems. Collaborative communicator focused on building strong relationships between industry stakeholders and higher education. Team builder fostering synergy across business, higher education, nonprofits and government partners driving positive change, cohesiveness, comprehensive approaches, teamwork and propelling organizational goals forward.

Over 25 years of executive experience designing cross sector solutions between business, higher education, nonprofit and government thought-leaders building real-world solutions to society’s greatest challenge. Leadership that values inquiry and inspires multiple viewpoints to creatively respond to opportunities.

Design and implement innovative educational programming and partnerships that best serve the campus.
• Lead the NXT Gen Ag and Badge accelerated degree programs incorporating best practices in competency-based education. Managed a team systemwide in partnership with major food and ag employers as well as chiefs of police and sheriffs. 
• Advance program delivery, evaluation and student to workforce planning. Ensure programming aligns with Higher Learning Commission and other accrediting bodies.
• Plan and implement the Transformation and Futures initiative. Leverage the expertise of recognized thought-leaders systemwide and empower teams to co-create evidence-based strategic imperatives that advance transformation.
• Advise the Chancellor on best practices in workforce development, high impact practices and advancement of prior learning credit.
• Advance the Veden Center, responding to employer and community needs for higher education and student initiatives across a vast array of stakeholders.
• Grow the Mano Amiga entrepreneurship program that focuses on addressing career and business development education for the LatinX community.
• Oversee a team of tenured and tenured-track faculty fellows designing best practices in higher education teaching and learning.
• In conjunction with the Office of Public Engagement, designed and taught a transformation in higher education professional development course for tenure-track professors and promising program directors. To date, six substantive workforce and community development programs have evolved and are in the process of implementation.
• Lead a team of directors and faculty securing the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the APLU.
• Lead the campus SBDC and AmeriCorps programs and secure grant proposals advancing university community engagement.
• Serve as PI in the development of a system-wide multi-million dollar research proposals on best practices for innovation in teaching and learning.

PhD in Educational Leadership and MBA with an emphasis in Finance