Sandra Hamar

Dr. Sandra Hamar, Ed.D., is Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs at Columbia College. She joined the institution in 2017 after a career spanning P-12 public school districts and higher education, primarily as a literacy specialist. Her academic credentials include a B.A. from Graceland College, an M.A. from the University of Missouri St. Louis, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Organizational Leadership with an emphasis on Effective Schools from Grand Canyon University.

• B.A., Graceland College
• M.A., University of Missouri St. Louis
• Ed.D., Grand Canyon University

Dr. Hamar’s research focuses on Effective Teacher Preparation and the impact of Education Abroad programs on preservice teachers’ identity and self-efficacy. She pioneered a Professional Development School (PDS) partnership program in Kansas City and expanded it locally. Annually, she leads teacher education students to Falmouth, Jamaica, to study abroad and teach in local schools, emphasizing transformative short-term experiences.

Her administrative roles include Chair of the Education Department since 2020. She actively participates in boards and committees addressing education locally, nationally, and internationally, reflecting her collaborative approach to advancing educational practices.