Chris Normile is a higher education leader with over a decade of experience building strategic partnerships that expand access to education for adult learners and underserved populations. Most recently serving in a leadership role at Western Governors University, he has led regional and national teams focused on developing employer, academic, and K–12 partnerships that drive enrollment, workforce development, and student success.
Chris has a proven track record of designing and executing go-to-market strategies, managing multimillion-dollar partnership portfolios, and aligning cross-functional teams to achieve institutional goals. He holds a Master of Science in Education from The College of Saint Rose and is passionate about increasing equitable access to high-quality, flexible learning opportunities.
Chris enjoys guiding the strategic direction of higher ed institutions to further raise their profile among prospective students, alumni, and external partners.
Areas of Focus:
Industry-University partnerships, Higher Education Institution (HEI)-School District partnerships, workforce development, distance learning, adult learners, B2B marketing, higher ed marketing, enrollment management, non-traditional learners, access to higher education for underrepresented communities.
Current Position and Past Experience
2026 – Current
Managing Director, Partnership Strategy
Workforce Partnerships (Remote)
2024 – 2026
Senior National Manager, School District Partnerships
Western Governors University (Remote)
2021 – 2024
Senior Regional Manager, Strategic Partnerships
Western Governors University (Remote)
2020 – 2021
Regional Manager, Strategic Partnerships
Western Governors University (Remote)
2018 – 2020
Strategic Partnerships Manager
Western Governors University (Remote)
2017 – 2018
Regional Director
Excelsior University (Albany, NY)
2015 – 2017
Workforce/Healthcare Partnerships Manager
Excelsior University (Albany, NY)
2011 – 2015
Academic Advisor
Excelsior University (Albany, NY)
2009 – 2010
Account Executive
GlobalSpec (Troy, NY)
2008 – 2008
Regional Sales Consultant
Regional Help Wanted (Remote)
2006 – 2008
Account Executive
The Nielsen Company (Remote)
2004 – 2006
Advertising Sales Coordinator
AAAS (Washington, D.C.)
Education
2010
Master of Science in Education – College Student Services Administration
Thelma P. Lally School of Education at The College of Saint Rose
2004
Bachelor of Science – Organizational Communication, Learning and Design
Park School of Communications at Ithaca College
Honors and Awards
2017
Leadership Academy – Graduate
Excelsior University (Albany, NY)
2015
The Excelsior MVP
Excelsior University (Albany, NY)
Technology Experience
- CRM platforms including Salesforce
- Web conferencing applications including Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, WebEx, and Zoom
- Prospecting and networking tools including ZoomInfo and LinkedIn Sales Navigator
- Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access
- Social media platforms including LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
- Instructional and promotional video editing and publishing
- Website design and administration with WordPress
- Image editing via Adobe Photoshop and Canva
Associations and Memberships
Current
Capital Region Chamber of Commerce
Past
The Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals