BTC Dean Earns National Fellowship

Congratulations to Moira Lafayette, Dean of Health Sciences and Public Safety at Blackhawk Technical College for her selection as one of 20 nationwide recipients of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) 2021 Postsecondary Leadership Success Program. The program supports current and aspiring leaders in career and technical education (CTE), providing professional and career growth opportunities to leaders at nonprofits and postsecondary institutions offering CTE programs.

Moira Lafayette has been in her role at Blackhawk Technical College for the past three years. She uses her leadership skills to oversee educational program management in a dynamic and flexible learning environment. She has worked in public health training and higher education for over twenty years, drawing upon her academic program management expertise to foster learning environments that ensure students' success. 

“Dean Lafayette’s selection for the ACTE fellowship program is a wonderful opportunity for her to develop a national peer network and to share her leadership experiences in advancing BTC’s mission to provide flexible education in a supportive environment,” said BTC Vice President of Academic Affairs Karen Schmitt.

“Moira’s fellowship project focuses on implementing effective strategies for reducing equity gaps in degree/credential completion for economically disadvantaged students. Her work on this leadership challenge will directly contribute to improved completion rates across all of our academic programs at BTC.”

This is ACTE's third cohort of 20 CTE postsecondary professionals in leadership development activities. These activities include creating a personal development plan, attending virtual and in-person professional development sessions, sharing best practices with the field, and engaging with a mentor. The goal of the program is to help participants develop and refine their skills in CTE organizational leadership and management; build critical skills in communication, collaboration, networking, problem-solving, and use of time/resources; and hone their ability to facilitate institutional change. The PLSP-ECMCF also includes a research study to help determine what efforts best contribute to leadership development among postsecondary CTE professionals and the creation of resources that can be widely distributed to support others in the field. 

About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation's largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals, and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness, and access to resources, professional development, and leadership opportunities. 

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