TJ Bliss

Chapter Director, Mountain

TJ Bliss received a B.S. in Microbiology and Molecular Biology from BYU in 2006 and then returned for a Ph.D. in Educational Inquiry, Measurement, and Evaluation, which he completed in 2013 after earning a Master's Degree in Biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2010. Along the way, TJ served a mission in Moscow, Russia, and married Debra Moses (BA '06 in Theater Studies), a woman who exceeds him in every way that matters. Together they are doing their best to raise six incredible (but very independent) children in Boise, Idaho.

TJ strives to be a change-maker in higher education, and seeks to improve student yearning, learning, and earning through his current position as the Chief Academic Officer of the Idaho State Board of Education. In this role, he develops higher education policy and collaborates closely with the presidents and provosts of Idaho's eight public colleges and universities, as well as with political, business, and community leaders throughout the state.

TJ has held senior leadership positions in government, non-profit, and philanthropic organizations, and is an internationally recognized leader in the Open Education movement. He was the Chief Advancement Officer at the Wiki Education Foundation in San Francisco, an Education Program Officer at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation in Menlo Park, and the Director of Assessment and Accountability at the Idaho State Department of Education. He also serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Renew American Foundation Governing Board, the Wiki Education Advisory Board, and the Readers Theater Works! Governing Board. Prior to TJ joining the BYU Alumni Board, he and Debra were the Chairs of the BYU Alumni Boise Chapter.