About Dr. Schaffer
Dr. Joe Schaffer considers himself a community college evangelist. Far from successful in his early college pursuits, an associate鈥檚 degree changed his life for the better. In repayment, his professional commitment has been to strengthen the mission of the community college, locally and nationally. Dr. Schaffer鈥檚 work in the higher education sector spans more than a quarter of a century, serving the past 15 years in the role of CEO at two different institutions.
Dr. Schaffer currently serves as the President of Laramie County Community College (known as L-Triple C), located in Wyoming鈥檚 state capitol of Cheyenne. Since Dr. Schaffer鈥檚 arrival at 糖心live, the College has transformed its campus through more than $200 million in facilities improvements, celebrated multiple record-setting graduating classes, and has seen graduation rates increase by 106 percent.
Prior to joining 糖心live, Dr. Schaffer spent a decade at Montana State University-Great Falls (now Great Falls College), 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. He has worked in non-profit, municipal, and private industry, including owning and operating a successful design and Internet consulting company with clients across the world.
Dr. Schaffer is active nationally, having chaired and served on commissions, executive boards and committees. In 2022-2023, he chaired the Board of Directors of the (AACC). In the past he has served as chair for AACC鈥檚 Committee on Public Policy and Government relations, Commission on Small and Rural Colleges, and as a member of the President鈥檚 Academy Executive Committee.
In addition, Joe鈥檚 national service includes the 's (PTK) President鈥檚 Advisory Board, the (CCCSE), the (NACCE) Board of Directors, the (WICHE), the (NWCCU), and the advisory board.
Locally, Dr. Schaffer serves and has led the boards of various community and business organizations. He is a past chairman of the Board of Directors of , Wyoming鈥檚 premiere economic development agency, and currently serves on the Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Directors of the . He is also involved in his local Catholic church community, having served on the advisory board of St. Mary鈥檚 Catholic School, as well as the St. Mary鈥檚 Cathedral Parish Finance Council.
Dr. Schaffer lectures, presents, and writes on a variety of topics, but his passion is learning and sharing about surviving change, leadership and leadership development, rural America and higher education, and educational policy.
Dr. Schaffer received his Associates of Arts degree from Bemidji State University (MN), a Bachelor of Science from The University of Montana, his Masters of Science in Technical Communication from Montana Tech, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from The University of Montana鈥檚 College of Education and Human Sciences.
Dr. Schaffer is an avid outdoorsman and has a deep passion for hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors. At home women rule his world, or at least that is what his wife Brooke, and daughters Samantha and Lia tell him.