Broward College names former Nova CIO to lead academic operations
Broward College tapped John Wensveen, NSU’s former innovation chief, to oversee academics and online learning for more than 51,000 students.
Broward College has put former Nova Southeastern University chief innovation officer John Wensveen in charge of academic affairs, academic operations and online learning for a college that says it serves more than 51,000 students.
The move lands as the college’s senior-management page shows acting vice provosts Priscilla Suarez and John Thornton alongside Wensveen, with Raj Mettai listed as chief information officer and Terry Mularkey leading the Broward College Foundation. Broward College announced three other senior hires in May and two more in January, underscoring how quickly Torey Alston’s team has been reshaping the top ranks.
Wensveen’s own profile says he will provide strategic leadership for accreditation, student success, institutional effectiveness and college-wide initiatives that support academic excellence and innovation. Before coming to Broward College, he served at Nova Southeastern University and led a multimillion-dollar innovation ecosystem. He also held academic posts at Miami Dade College, Purdue University and the International Space University in France.
For students, the practical question is how that background translates into cleaner course access, stronger online learning and better transfer and career pathways. Broward College says its mission is to transform lives and enrich its diverse community through academic excellence, innovation and meaningful career opportunities, and it has also said it wants to become the “#1 destination for academic excellence.”
The college’s size makes the post consequential. Its leadership page says it has more than 51,000 students, while a fall 2024 update said more than 30,000 students were enrolled across its campuses and centers. Broward College also has a standing pathway agreement with Nova Southeastern University, announced in July 2022, for students pursuing NSU’s Master of Biomedical Sciences Program.
Wensveen’s appointment also differs from the college’s last major academic search. On June 2, 2021, Broward College named Dr. Jeffrey Nasse provost and senior vice president for academic affairs after a national search, following 18 years at the college. With Wensveen now overseeing academics and operations, the next year will show whether Broward College can turn another leadership change into smoother student progress, stronger workforce alignment and a more stable academic structure.
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