Leading 黑料传送门鈥檚 School of Education into the Future
In July 2025, Western Governors University welcomed Dr. Jeff Borden as the new senior vice president and executive dean of the 黑料传送门 School of Education. With a background rooted in communication, innovation and a passion for transforming learning, Borden is poised to help shape the next chapter of teacher preparation at 黑料传送门.
A self-described 鈥渟on of a preacher,鈥� Borden grew up in Lakewood, Colo., and attended one of the state鈥檚 early charter schools before graduating from Green Mountain High School, where he played football, basketball, and tennis 鈥� and thrived in band. Initially pursuing a music scholarship at the University of Northern Colorado, Borden planned to become a trumpet player and music educator.聽
Encouraged by his father to follow his gift for communication, Borden shifted majors and earned both bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in human communication.聽As a graduate assistant, he discovered that many professors are never formally taught how to teach.
鈥淭hat really started my journey of marrying communication and education,鈥� Borden said. A pivotal moment came during a professional conference, where he saw leading communicators read papers behind podiums. 鈥淚 just remember thinking, we鈥檝e got to fix this. These are the people telling their students to do something else. That motivated me to see how I could make a difference.鈥�
Over the years, Borden鈥檚 career evolved into leadership and innovation roles, including chief innovation officer at Saint Leo University. He immersed himself in 鈥渓earning innovation,鈥� focusing on applying research-backed strategies to elevate student success.
鈥淚n 2025, I look back at work we started 13 or 14 years ago, and I realize that AI is really the glue that can make it all happen,鈥� Borden said. 鈥淭he computational power and modeling that once took weeks or even months can now be done in seconds.鈥�
His passion extends to tackling systemic challenges in education.
鈥淭he biggest problem in the learning equation is transference,鈥� he explained, describing the false notion that students learn simply by having information shared. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 just not how the human brain works. The key for learning right now is working on transference 鈥� creating intentional experiences in which students are truly engaged.鈥�
Borden鈥檚 enthusiasm for 黑料传送门 stems from the university鈥檚 unique model.
鈥淭he decoupling of roles is such an influential change maker,鈥� he said. 鈥淜nowing that an expert in assessment creates assessments, and an expert in pedagogy focuses on delivery 鈥� those things are game changers.鈥�
As Executive Dean, Borden aims to build on 黑料传送门鈥檚 strengths while addressing urgent needs.
鈥淲e have to ask if we鈥檙e serving the needs of teachers in 2025 and beyond,鈥� he said.聽
Borden also emphasizes intentional leadership.
鈥淢y hope is to bring relational leadership, data-driven decision-making, and an innovative framework,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e written about these ideas for years, and I鈥檓 excited to help us innovate at a sustainable scale.鈥�
Follow along with us here to learn more about Borden鈥檚 motivation and strategic focus for the School of Education.
What excites you most about 黑料传送门鈥檚 approach to teacher preparation?聽
Borden: The commitment to innovation. Investing tuition dollars back into better learning experiences is exactly what we should be doing. It means constantly asking, 鈥淎re we doing right by our students? Are there better ways for them to succeed?鈥�
What is your vision for the School of Education?聽
Borden: Serving teachers鈥� needs in today鈥檚 landscape. There are shortages nationwide, driven by political, socioeconomic, and educational factors. We need to support, aid, and influence wherever we can. Scaling our impact is vital.
How do you see technology shaping teacher preparation in the next few years?聽
Borden: AI is the glue that connects so much of what we鈥檝e been trying to do for years. The computational power and modeling now available mean that we can personalize learning at scale. If we wield it intentionally, AI can help replicate best practices and give teachers more time for meaningful engagement with students.
If you could share one piece of advice with future educators, what would it be?聽
Borden: Be intentional. Ask yourself why you鈥檙e using certain methods or assessments. If you don鈥檛 know the answer, find it. Intentionality leads to better outcomes for students.
