Kaplan University Names Wade Dyke, D.Phil., President

DAVENPORT, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Kaplan University Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Wade Dyke, D.Phil., as president of Kaplan University, a leading provider of online postsecondary education. Dyke, who has served as interim president since August, succeeds Andrew S. Rosen, who is now the chairman and CEO of Kaplan, Inc.

“At Kaplan University, we play a role in providing access and instructional excellence in higher education at an important time for our students and our society”

In his capacity as president, Dyke will oversee the academic operations of Kaplan University online, Kaplan University campuses and Kaplan University Learning Centers, which offers face-to-face support services and classroom learning opportunities for local Kaplan University online students. He will report to the Kaplan University Board of Trustees, which elected him to the new post.

“During his tenure as interim president, Dr. Dyke demonstrated his ability to lead initiatives that build upon the innovation and quality of the University and the experience of its students,” said Kay Runge, chair of the University’s Board of Trustees. “We expect him to take Kaplan University to the next level, as a model of 21^st century postsecondary education.”

As interim President, Dyke was instrumental in leading the effort to develop the University’s academic strategic vision, and advancing several initiatives to promote quality in the curriculum, policy and practices within the institution.

Dyke joined Kaplan Higher Education in 2007 and was later promoted to senior vice president. In these roles, he was responsible for developing opportunities for blended learning—a combination of online and classroom instruction—for students studying at Kaplan Higher Education schools. He spearheaded the opening of the first Kaplan University Learning Center in Milwaukee and expanded online learning options for campus-based University students in Iowa and Nebraska.

“At Kaplan University, we play a role in providing access and instructional excellence in higher education at an important time for our students and our society,” Dyke said. “Building upon the work done by President Rosen, our faculty and staff, we have a unique opportunity to continuously improve the University’s offerings to help our students achieve their personal and professional goals.”

Dyke has an extensive background in leading forward-thinking educational ventures. He served as the chief executive officer, chief operating officer and executive vice president at Chancellor Beacon Academies, Inc., now Imagine Schools, which creates and operates public charter schools nationwide. He also served as a co-founder and chief executive officer of Teachade, a social networking site where K-12 teachers can share best practices and professional development resources with their peers.

Prior to that, Dyke held federal and state government posts where he helped advance flexible regulatory policies designed to encourage innovation in education. He served as the chief of staff to the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Dyke also served as director of the Wisconsin Governor's Office for Workforce Excellence, where he developed programs to create a more seamless transition from high school to college or work. He previously served as an assistant professor of public administration at The Ohio State University.

Dyke continues to serve as chairman of the nonprofit Charter School Development Corp., where he maintains his commitment to providing quality elementary and secondary educational opportunities to underserved communities. He is the chairman of the St. Philip’s Foundation board of trustees and is a director of Adopt-a-Classroom.

A Rhodes Scholar and former White House Fellow, Dyke holds a doctorate in politics and a bachelor’s degree in politics and economics from Oxford University in England. He also received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma honor societies.

About Kaplan University

Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. Based in Davenport, Iowa, the University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Kaplan University offers more than 125 academic programs and serves more than 66,000 online and campus-based students. In addition to its online operations, the University has 10 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska and Maryland, and one Kaplan University Learning Center in Milwaukee.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education, which serves more than 104,000 students online and through more than 70 campus-based schools across the United States and abroad. Kaplan Higher Education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan Higher Education is part of Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan serves students of all ages through a wide array of offerings including higher education, test preparation, professional training and programs for kids in grades K through 12. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO), and its largest and fastest-growing division. For more information about Kaplan University, visit www.kaplan.edu/talent.