LARAMIE COUNTYCOMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dr. Schaffer is currently the President of Laramie County Community College, Wyoming's largest community college.
Dr. Joe Schaffer considers himself a community college evangelist. Far from a success in his early college pursuits, an associate's degree changed his life for the better. In repayment, his professional commitment has been to strengthening the mission of the community college. Dr. Schaffer's work in the two-year higher education sector spans nearly two decades, serving the past 10 years in the role of CEO at two different institutions.
Prior to joining LCCC, Dr. Schaffer spent nearly a decade at Montana State University-Great Falls College of Technology, serving in a variety of academic and administrative roles. At the age of 34, he was appointed the campus Dean and Chief Executive Officer, making him one of the youngest college CEOs in the nation at the time.
Before coming to higher education, Joe worked in non-profit, municipal, and private industry, including owning and operating a successful website design and Internet consulting company.
Degrees:
A.A. from Bemidji State University
B.S. from the University of Montana
M.S. in technical communication from Montana Tech
Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Montana's College of Education
and Human Sciences
Professional affiliations:
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Board of Directors
Chair of the AACC's Commission on Small and Rural Colleges
Center for Community College Student Engagement National Advisory Board
President of the Wyoming Community College Presidents' Council
He also serves on the boards of various community and business organizations, including Cheyenne LEADS, Wyoming's leading economic development association.