Rachel is a higher education and workforce development strategist who helps institutions design more responsive, learner-centered systems. For more than a decade, she has led institution and system-wide transformation efforts that leverage human-centered design, data, and systems change to improve outcomes for students and communities. At Education Design Lab, Rachel serves as Senior Strategy and Impact Director and leads the Community College Growth Engine, a national design accelerator supporting skills-based transformation across community colleges and state systems. She has overseen statewide partnerships in Montana, Colorado, North Carolina, and Arkansas, and co-led micro-pathway design work with 130+ community colleges nationwide, helping colleges connect New Majority learners to living-wage careers.

Before joining the Lab, Rachel led workforce and professional solutions at Eastern Maine Community College and served as Chief Advancement Officer at Unity College, where she built cross-sector partnerships and helped scale innovative models for community college and rural learner success.

HOMETOWN: Colonie, NY

BACHELOR’S: B.A. History Education, Siena College

MASTER’S: M.S. Higher Education Administration, Southern New Hampshire University

DOCTORATE: Ed.D. Higher Education Leadership, Maryville University of St. Louis