HARTFORD, CT - Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is appointing Dr. Alice M. Pritchard to serve as interim executive director of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), the entity that is responsible for overseeing the state’s 17 technical high schools, two airframe mechanics and aircraft maintenance programs, and technical education center.

“Connecticut’s technical high schools and workforce development programs are focused on giving students a competitive edge, empowering them with the skills they need to fill in-demand, good paying jobs,” Governor Lamont said. “Dr. Pritchard’s experience in higher education and workforce development will help accelerate our vision of having a technical education and career system that functions collaboratively with the needs of the business community so that when students graduate, their careers can thrive from the start. I’m excited Dr. Pritchard has agreed to take on this leadership role and I look forward to having her at the helm of CTECS.”

“I am honored to serve in this important position and look forward to bringing my government, higher education, workforce, and nonprofit experience to the table,” Dr. Pritchard said. “I am excited to work with the Lamont administration, legislators, the CTECS Advisory Board, school and central office employees, partner agencies, colleges and universities, labor unions, business leaders, and students to help the system reach its full potential.”

“As Connecticut’s premier pipeline for a highly skilled workforce, CTECS is dedicated to advancing excellence in career and technical education,” Dr. Christine Benz, chair of the CTECS Advisory Board, said. “Dr. Pritchard’s expertise in workforce development will be a tremendous asset in helping CTECS achieve this mission.”

Dr. Pritchard is currently the director of workforce development and strategic initiatives for the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), where she has worked since May 2023. In this role, she has been responsible for supporting the growth, development, retention, and advancement of the state’s public workforce, working with state agencies to identify their workforce needs, and collaborating with the state’s technical high schools and institutions of higher education to promote workforce development programs that align with the needs of state agencies. She also served as the DAS designee and vice chair of the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority.

Immediately prior to her current position, Dr. Pritchard worked for Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) – the higher education system consisting of six public colleges and universities – from 2015 to 2023 as chief of staff and chief strategy officer. In these roles, she was responsible for serving as the primary support for the system’s president, managing and directing key functions to execute the leadership’s strategic goals and overall vision for schools it oversees.

She also worked for the nonprofit organization formerly known as the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF) from 1991 through 2015 in several roles, including as its executive director. While at this organization, she managed all aspects of the agency, including financial planning and administration, staff supervision, implementing its strategic plan, and providing oversight of all programs and special projects.

In addition to her work experience, Dr. Pritchard has volunteered as a member of numerous boards, including the National Skills Coalition; the United Way of Connecticut; the Universal Health Care Foundation and Connecticut Health Advancement and Research Trust; Career Resources, Inc.; Greater Hartford Legal Aid; Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame (Board of Advisors); the Hartford Area Training Center; and the Isaiah 58 Ministries Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic.

Dr. Pritchard earned a Ph.D. in sociology and an M.A. in sociology, both from the University of Connecticut, and a B.A. in sociology from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.

CTECS serves approximately 11,200 full-time students at its technical high schools and more than 3,000 adult education students at its aviation and apprenticeship programs.

Dr. Pritchard will begin serving at CTECS effective Friday, November 29, 2024.