Cox College switching leaders ahead of Alliance for Healthcare Education transition

Cox College has named a new president who will take the reins amid a larger transition: the switch to the Alliance for Healthcare Education.

Amy Townsend this summer is slated to become president of Cox College, according to a news release. She'll succeed Amy Wutke, president since 2017 and a Cox College employee since 2014.

Wutke said via email that she has accepted the role of president at the Christ College of Nursing and Health Science in Cincinnati, effective June 24.

“Dr. Wutke’s influence on Cox College, CoxHealth and our community has been significant,” said Andy Hedgpeth, CoxHealth’s vice president of human resources, in the release. “Her leadership has shaped the lives of many students and helped drive the next generation of our workforce.”

Wutke is credited with leading Cox College with a multimillion-dollar renovation, a revamped simulation center, a new campus in Monett and the addition of new degree programs.

Townsend has worked at Cox College since 2011, most recently as vice president for student nursing and dean of institutional effectiveness since 2020, according to the release.

“Dr. Townsend has a proven track record of leading educational programs and developing effective solutions,” Hedgpeth said in the release “I am proud to welcome her to this role, and I know Cox College will continue to benefit from her expertise.”

The leadership change comes as Cox College is set to merge its programming into the newly created Alliance for Healthcare Education, a partnership of CoxHealth, Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College and Springfield Public Schools.

After Cox College’s programs fold into the Alliance for Healthcare Education, Townsend would switch to a new role as director of student experience with CoxHealth, according to the release.