Synergis Education Leadership

Norm Allgood has dedicated nearly two decades of his career to expanding access to quality, affordable programs to underserved populations. As CEO of Synergis Education, Norm focuses on addressing the needs of adult learners, establishing and growing a mission-driven company and is among the most forward-thinking executives in the industry. After serving in the US Army as an active duty noncommissioned officer, Norm earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in his 30’s. It was through his own personal journey that Norm became an advocate for improving higher education and expanding access to educational opportunities for adult and non-traditional students. In 2011, Norm founded Synergis Education, a mission-driven company that partners with colleges and universities to design, launch and grow innovative classroom, online and blended programs of distinction. Norm has led Synergis to become one of the fastest growing service providers in higher education – going from three employees to 170 in three years and expanding to two office locations in Arizona and Illinois. Norm and his team have raised over $40 million from investors including University Ventures Fund I, L.P. and affiliated entities, Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. Today, Synergis Education works with eight partner institutions in seven states to offer 58 degree programs to 5,200 students. In 2014, the company helped its partner schools enroll 2,500+ students, of which 340 enrolled into Healthcare programs. In his role as CEO, Norm focuses on strategy, leadership and innovation, working closely with Synergis Education’s partner institutions. Norm and his team follow three core principles: partner success, student outcomes and financial transparency; pillars that have helped drive Synergis’ reputation as a best-in-class services company known for its commitment to mission and values. The Synergis Education team’s deep knowledge of the industry and their ability to form trusted partnerships with colleges and universities has largely contributed to the company’s growth. Prior to starting Synergis Education, Norm served as Chief Operating Officer at Orbis Education, a leader in nursing education and as Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at the Institute for Professional Development (IPD), a subsidiary of Apollo Group, where he served for nine years. In his career, Norm has worked and consulted with numerous state and private colleges and universities around the country, becoming well-known for cultivating a strong commitment to maximizing retention, student outcomes, and advancing new techniques in educational delivery, as well as his powerful track record of turnaround management and leadership development. Norm earned a bachelor’s degree in management and a Master of Business Administration with an international focus from Cornerstone University.

His technical capabilities include software, hardware, networking and telecommunications. Mr. Vande Kamp's tactical responsibilities have included software product development, business consulting, strategic account management and software product support. For the past 12 years, Mr. Vande Kamp has focused on higher education systems, holding senior leadership positions at Apollo Group and Education Management Corporation. His systems responsibilities have spanned the entire student and faculty life cycles, including inquiry acquisition and distribution, customer relationship management, contact center technology, student information systems, online enrollment applications, degree audit and student/faculty portals. Prior to entering the higher education industry, Mr. Vande Kamp worked as a technology consultant to one of the world’s largest financial services organizations. Initially leading projects in the retirement services portfolio, Mr. Vande Kamp received accolades for his service and was requested to help lead one of the largest online brokerage implementations of the interactive division. As a technologist, Mr. Vande Kamp enjoys introducing and implementing new technologies into the marketplace, but as a business advisor he carefully analyzes the costs and benefits when dealing with technology initiatives. As a lifelong learner, Mr. Vande Kamp is passionate about improving both the way we teach and the way we learn. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University.

He has worked in two- and four-year institutions, both public and private, and has designed, implemented and taught in programs leading to associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. With a Ph.D. in anthropology from Stony Brook University, he has served as tenured professor, dean, vice president, provost and acting president. He is an expert on curricular design and program development and brings more than 25 years of experience in these areas to Synergis Education. Prior to working with Synergis, Dr. Donohue worked at a variety of colleges and universities that were committed to curricular innovation and the design of programs targeted to serve the needs of non-traditional learners. As he witnessed the tremendous impact that access to higher education had for non-traditional learners, he became committed to exploring the ways in which creativity, flexibility and a commitment to academic excellence could be integrated into new approaches to higher education. During his tenure as chief academic officer at three different colleges, he provided academic leadership that led to dynamic program, curricular and institutional development. Dr. Donohue also has served as a consultant for chief executive officers in higher education, providing analyses of program costs and benefits and creating analytic tools that assist institutions to support organizational missions, while simultaneously improving operational return on investment. Dr. Donohue most recently spent almost six years as Chief Academic Officer at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven Connecticut. Ultimately rising to the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Donohue was responsible for coordinating institutional strategic planning, developing new programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, leading the development of fully online programs, planning and implementing a switch to a new and improved learning management system, and working successfully with state, regional and disciplinary accreditors to secure program and institutional accreditation. After beginning his career in higher education at Adelphi University's University College in 1987 as a Coordinator of Services, Director of Academic Affairs and ultimately Associate Dean of the college, Dr. Donohue continued to serve at a variety of institutions throughout his career. He was Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at SUNY Morrisville. He then became Chief Academic Officer of Medaille College and ultimately was selected to serve as that institution’s acting President. He also served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at D’Youville College. In addition to his academic leadership activities, Dr. Donohue has maintained an active research and writing agenda, publishing numerous scholarly books and articles, as well as four novels.

Norm Allgood has dedicated nearly two decades of his career to expanding access to quality, affordable programs to underserved populations. As CEO of Synergis Education, Norm focuses on addressing the needs of adult learners, establishing and growing a mission-driven company and is among the most forward-thinking executives in the industry. After serving in the US Army as an active duty noncommissioned officer, Norm earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in his 30’s. It was through his own personal journey that Norm became an advocate for improving higher education and expanding access to educational opportunities for adult and non-traditional students. In 2011, Norm founded Synergis Education, a mission-driven company that partners with colleges and universities to design, launch and grow innovative classroom, online and blended programs of distinction. Norm has led Synergis to become one of the fastest growing service providers in higher education – going from three employees to 170 in three years and expanding to two office locations in Arizona and Illinois. Norm and his team have raised over $40 million from investors including University Ventures Fund I, L.P. and affiliated entities, Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. Today, Synergis Education works with eight partner institutions in seven states to offer 58 degree programs to 5,200 students. In 2014, the company helped its partner schools enroll 2,500+ students, of which 340 enrolled into Healthcare programs. In his role as CEO, Norm focuses on strategy, leadership and innovation, working closely with Synergis Education’s partner institutions. Norm and his team follow three core principles: partner success, student outcomes and financial transparency; pillars that have helped drive Synergis’ reputation as a best-in-class services company known for its commitment to mission and values. The Synergis Education team’s deep knowledge of the industry and their ability to form trusted partnerships with colleges and universities has largely contributed to the company’s growth. Prior to starting Synergis Education, Norm served as Chief Operating Officer at Orbis Education, a leader in nursing education and as Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at the Institute for Professional Development (IPD), a subsidiary of Apollo Group, where he served for nine years. In his career, Norm has worked and consulted with numerous state and private colleges and universities around the country, becoming well-known for cultivating a strong commitment to maximizing retention, student outcomes, and advancing new techniques in educational delivery, as well as his powerful track record of turnaround management and leadership development. Norm earned a bachelor’s degree in management and a Master of Business Administration with an international focus from Cornerstone University.

Norm Allgood has dedicated nearly two decades of his career to expanding access to quality, affordable programs to underserved populations. As CEO of Synergis Education, Norm focuses on addressing the needs of adult learners, establishing and growing a mission-driven company and is among the most forward-thinking executives in the industry. After serving in the US Army as an active duty noncommissioned officer, Norm earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in his 30’s. It was through his own personal journey that Norm became an advocate for improving higher education and expanding access to educational opportunities for adult and non-traditional students. In 2011, Norm founded Synergis Education, a mission-driven company that partners with colleges and universities to design, launch and grow innovative classroom, online and blended programs of distinction. Norm has led Synergis to become one of the fastest growing service providers in higher education – going from three employees to 170 in three years and expanding to two office locations in Arizona and Illinois. Norm and his team have raised over $40 million from investors including University Ventures Fund I, L.P. and affiliated entities, Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. Today, Synergis Education works with eight partner institutions in seven states to offer 58 degree programs to 5,200 students. In 2014, the company helped its partner schools enroll 2,500+ students, of which 340 enrolled into Healthcare programs. In his role as CEO, Norm focuses on strategy, leadership and innovation, working closely with Synergis Education’s partner institutions. Norm and his team follow three core principles: partner success, student outcomes and financial transparency; pillars that have helped drive Synergis’ reputation as a best-in-class services company known for its commitment to mission and values. The Synergis Education team’s deep knowledge of the industry and their ability to form trusted partnerships with colleges and universities has largely contributed to the company’s growth. Prior to starting Synergis Education, Norm served as Chief Operating Officer at Orbis Education, a leader in nursing education and as Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at the Institute for Professional Development (IPD), a subsidiary of Apollo Group, where he served for nine years. In his career, Norm has worked and consulted with numerous state and private colleges and universities around the country, becoming well-known for cultivating a strong commitment to maximizing retention, student outcomes, and advancing new techniques in educational delivery, as well as his powerful track record of turnaround management and leadership development. Norm earned a bachelor’s degree in management and a Master of Business Administration with an international focus from Cornerstone University.