Rachel is delighted to bring her background in higher education administration, workforce development, and project management as well as her love for relationship building and storytelling to the Education Design Lab as Deputy Director of the Community College Growth Engine Fund (CCGEF).

Rachel began her career in higher education in 2014, and has since held a variety of administrative roles with several higher education institutions. It was during her time serving as the Director of Career Services for Unity College that Rachel discovered her passion for connecting students to gainful employment, and focusing on the outcomes of higher education.  She continued fostering that passion in a cross-functional capacity in the roles of Chief Advancement Officer and Chief of Staff at Unity College as the College leaned heavily into focusing on student outcomes through the lenses of student-centered design and equity.

Just prior to joining the Lab, Rachel served as the Dean of Workforce and Professional Solutions at Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC).  Rooted in her personal mission to help address inequities in access to higher education, the community college setting allowed her to engage in work that directly addressed the needs of New Majority Learners. It was here that Rachel first connected with the Lab while leading EMCC’s participation in the BRIDGES Rural project, geared towards strengthening the capacity of rural community colleges to serve as critical economic growth engines for their learners and communities.

This engagement with the Lab seamlessly paired Rachel’s professional background with her personal mission in a way that was enlightening.  Now, as a member of the Lab, Rachel is excited to support the Fund and effect large-scale change in the name of equitable education solutions in a sustainable way. 

Rachel holds a M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Southern New Hampshire University, and a B.A. in History Education from Siena College. When not working, you can find Rachel experimenting in the kitchen, reading the latest historical fiction and nonfiction, and exploring the beautiful state of Maine where she currently lives with her partner, Chris.