New CWC head Sandy Chio focuses on community

As Central Wyoming College in Jackson continues to root itself as a foundational educational institution in the Tetons, the community college has positioned itself to flourish under its first dean, Sandy Chio.

“It really is the focus on ‘community’ in community college,” Chio told the News&Guide this week. “The way I think about it, and knowing this community so well, with these mountain communities we need to ask how do we keep them vibrant and going? That really drives me. I think what’s so needed with CWC and community colleges in general, is its ability to flex and adapt and evolve with the community.”

Her first flex to adapt was immediate as she and her family were in the middle of a move from their home in Alta to Jackson, and then Teton Pass slid. The Jackson campus was organizing incident command meetings to ensure students and staff were supported at the time, while Chio’s husband and son were left to navigate the rest of their move, detouring around via the Snake River Canyon. They made it and are gratefully settling into their new home in Jackson this week, Chio said.

But adjusting in big mountain town life comes naturally to Chio and her family, who moved to the Teton Valley, Idaho, area in 2012 from Alaska. They bumped around a bit with work as Chio served as the chief business officer at Teton Science Schools and later as admissions and marketing director at the National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander.

Chio brings to CWC 20 years of experience in education, marketing and leadership within the education, ski tourism industry and the nonprofit sectors. And as Chio steps into her role as dean, she brings a vision to not only enhance current programs but also introduce new initiatives tailored to meet the evolving needs of the local community.

In her new role, Chio will oversee academic and operational aspects of the Jackson campus, ensuring the delivery of high-quality education and services to students. She will also play a key role in developing new programs and partnerships that align with the needs of the local community and the strategic goals of Central Wyoming College.

“When we work with the community, we can deliver the educational programs that the community needs,” Chio said Monday. “That feels super exciting.”

She also will work to usher in the campus’s first facility in Jackson. It’s planned for construction in 2026 just off High School Road, next to Jackson Hole High School.

The CWC Jackson campus currently rents space from the Center for the Arts. It’s anticipated that the new facility will provide greater space to double the nursing program and triple the culinary programs.

In the meantime, Chio’s immediate goals are strengthening the campus’s ties with local businesses and organizations. By fostering these partnerships, she aims to create more opportunities for internships, job placements and collaborative projects that benefit both students and the community.

“Sandy’s innovative approach to leadership and her commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment will be invaluable as we continue to grow and serve our students in Jackson,” said Kathy Wells, vice president for academic affairs at CWC. ”We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly have on our campus and the broader community.”

Additionally, she plans to expand the campus’ outreach efforts to ensure that more residents in Jackson and the surrounding areas are aware of the educational opportunities available at CWC.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sandy Chio to Central Wyoming College,” said Brad Tyndall, President of Central Wyoming College. “Her vision and proven leadership skills will be invaluable as we look to expand our outreach and impact in the Jackson community. I am confident she will drive our campus forward with great success.”

Central Wyoming College offers a wide range of educational opportunities through its Jackson campus, including associate degrees, certificate program and community education courses.