June 12, 2024
“It is my pleasure to announce the selection of Andrew Lutz as the Dean of Computer Science & Information Technology; Chad Sanner as Dean of Healthcare, Public Safety & Wellness; and Dr. Thomas Wheeler as Dean of Industrial Technology at Johnson County Community College,” said Dr. Gurbhushan Singh, Vice President for Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer. “In their new roles, they will support JCCC’s commitment to an environment that exemplifies the deepest care and support for the learning and growth of our students.”
Lutz and Sanner assumed their new positions on June 1. Wheeler will assume his new position on June 24.
Andrew Lutz, Dean of Computer Science & Information Technology
Lutz has been an associate professor with JCCC since 2015 and has served as chair of the information technology (IT) department since 2018. Throughout his career at JCCC, Lutz has successfully led the development and implementation of the IT department’s five-year strategic plan. In 2019, he helped the College secure a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation from the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security, with redesignation in 2024. Lutz is also the director of the JCCC Cyber Center, which provides cybersecurity resources to the campus and community.
Before joining JCCC, Lutz was the director of Metro IT for DeVry University in Kansas City, Missouri. He has over a decade of experience in the IT industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Kansas State University and a Master of Science in Network and Communications Management from the Keller School of Management at DeVry University. Lutz is currently working toward his Ph.D. in information technology and is expected to graduate in 2024.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to support our faculty and students as dean,” said Lutz. “This is an exciting time in computer science and information technology, and it’s critical for us to continue our commitment to delivering quality education in these high-demand, high-wage areas for our students.”
Chad Sanner, Dean of Healthcare, Public Safety & Wellness
Chad Sanner has been a professor at JCCC since 2008 and has served as director of the Respiratory Care and Neurodiagnostic Technology programs since July 2020. With over two decades of experience in healthcare, Sanner is a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist and a Registered Respiratory Therapist. He has worked in several subspecialty areas of respiratory therapy, including pulmonary function testing, polysomnography, and adult critical care.
Sanner received his Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2002. In 2010, he returned to school to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Kansas Medical Center, which he completed with honors in 2013. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in leadership. Sanner is passionate about the benefits of international service learning and spends spring breaks working alongside respiratory therapy students to provide preventive healthcare to an underserved population in Las Pintas, Mexico.
“In my new position, I will seek to promote a scholar-practitioner culture within our healthcare public safety and wellness division, where issues are viewed as research problems to overcome, rather than insurmountable barriers,” said Sanner. “It is a positive approach that encourages curiosity, continuous study, and improvement.”
Dr. Thomas Wheeler, Dean of Industrial Technology
Dr. Thomas Wheeler has been an associate professor of electronics and co-chair of the Electronics Technology program at JCCC since 2019. Wheeler is an industry expert with a background in higher education. Before joining JCCC, he was a senior professor of engineering technology at DeVry University and served as both the dean of instruction and director of academic systems at Metropolitan Community College. Wheeler has authored two textbooks on electronic communications and has been published in QST and QEX magazines.
Wheeler holds an Associate of Applied Science from Metropolitan Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in electronics engineering technology. He also earned a master’s in technology from Pittsburgh State University and completed his Doctor of Education in curriculum and instruction at the University of Kansas in 2009.
“Helping our students along the path to a better life is at the center of everything we do,” said Wheeler. “As educators, we are uniquely privileged. We're gifted with the opportunity to connect in the lives of students and truly make a difference. We form a common extended family. I know of no other occupation that affords these intangible, yet invaluable, benefits.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Emma Swinney
Public and Media Relations Coordinator
eswinne1@jccc.edu
Chris Gray
VP, Strategic Communications and Marketing
chrisgray@jccc.edu
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