About Me.

Hello! I'm Dr. Nancy Pratt, a higher education executive, scholar, and systems strategist working at the intersection of workforce development, public policy, and adult learning. My work explores how we can rethink education, not only in terms of credentials or compliance, but as a pedagogy that equips educators, institutions, and learners to participate meaningfully in an evolving economy and society.

I hold a Ph.D. in Ethical and Creative Leadership and am completing a second Ph.D. in Urban Education, where my research defines Workforce Education as a distinct academic and policy field. For more than 15 years, I’ve led institutional transformation efforts in private and public universities, built cross-sector workforce partnerships, and developed scalable, equity-centered learning systems that align with economic development goals. I’ve also taught professional development courses, including recently, for educators and faculty on how to integrate workforce priorities across disciplines, and I’ve co-designed credentials in areas ranging from smart manufacturing and healthcare governance to inclusive teaching and AI for education.

This blog is my place to think in public. Here, I reflect on the future of higher education, the misuse and potential of workforce policy, the marginalization of adult learners, and what it means to lead in times of institutional and cultural change. If you’re a leader, educator, policymaker, or simply someone questioning the direction of our systems, I invite you into the conversation.

Work With Me

My professional work spans institutional strategy, workforce development, adult and continuing education, and research on the intersection of pedagogy and policy. I welcome opportunities to collaborate with organizations, institutions, or initiatives that are reimagining how education systems serve learners, communities, and labor markets.

My current areas of focus include:

• Advising on the strategic integration of workforce development within higher education systems
• Designing faculty and professional development focused on workforce pedagogy
• Translating workforce policy into institutional practice and learner pathways
• Supporting the development of non-credit to credit bridges, adult learner strategy, and      microcredentialing frameworks
• Research partnerships related to adult learners, workforce education, or continuing education reform

If you are engaged in work that overlaps with these areas, feel free to reach out. I am especially interested in efforts that challenge traditional boundaries and aim to build something more equitable, future-oriented, and learner-centered.

 To support our work here, buy me a cup of COFFEE. Thank you.

Transparency statement:

Like most writers, I see my work as a continuous process rather than a finished product. I regularly revisit articles to make edits, updates, and refinements while preserving the original theme and context. This approach helps keep my content relevant and improves its clarity over time.

AI Use: I use AI, particularly ChatGPT, as a supportive editorial partner in my writing process. It helps me test ideas, shape outlines, improve thematic flow, and refine titles and subheadings. I occasionally generate images to visually enhance posts and broaden accessibility. Before publishing, I run each piece through Grammarly to ensure clarity, coherence, and editorial consistency.