Ancora Education President and CEO John Barnes [Photo: Ancora]

Veteran educational leader John Barnes has assumed the role of president and CEO of Arlington-based Ancora Education.

“Ancora offers a broad range of educational opportunities, with flexibility to meet the needs of any learner,” Barnes said in a statement. “From high school to higher education to workforce training that’s upskilling and reskilling those currently employed, we’re preparing future generations of the country’s critical workforce.”

Barnes will oversee all Ancora divisions, including expanding ground campuses, growing online degree offerings, and developing diverse workforce development programs.

For 11 years, Barnes was president and CEO of Dorsey College, a part of the Lindenwood Education System family. Founded in 1934, Dorsey prepares individuals for careers in the nursing, healthcare, emergency medical services, culinary arts, skilled trades, and beauty fields.

Before Dorsey College, he was EVP and general manager for Cengage Learning, overseeing a more-than $100 million portfolio of businesses focused on online education, research, and EdTech. Barnes has previously held senior leadership roles at Thomson Reuters and ProQuest.

Ancora Education was acquired by Lindenwood Education System, the nonprofit parent entity of Lindenwood University and Dorsey College, in April 2025. It continues to operate separately, utilizing its own name, accreditations, and academic programming.

With locations across the U.S., Ancora’s network of schools, workforce training solutions, online courses, and high school completion program offer students and employers a wide range of vocational education programs.

Ancora offers technical education training programs specializing in healthcare, IT, business, and skilled trades through five private, post-secondary brands with 17 campus locations across the nation.

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