Executive Director to keynote Wright Tech graduation

Dr. Alice M. Pritchard, who was appointed by Gov. Ned Lamont in November as director of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), will keynote Wright Tech’s graduation  on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 6pm at the Palace Theater in Stamford.

Pritchard is currently responsible for overseeing the state’s 17 technical high schools, two airframe mechanics and aircraft maintenance programs, and technical education center.

Prior to her appointment, 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.