CTECS Board Votes Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch as Vice Chair

Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch was recently elected Vice Chair of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) Board for 2026, a role that positions her to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technical education and career pathways in the state. Her experience and dedication to education and workforce development make her an ideal candidate for Vice Chair.

The Board’s two subcommittees aim to enhance student success and workforce readiness by strengthening industry partnerships and expanding career pathways. The Business & Industry Committee is dedicated to fostering collaborative relationships with Connecticut’s business community, while the Career Pathways Committee focuses on promoting career exploration, postsecondary connections, and work-based learning opportunities for students.

Dr. Wosczyna-Birch has been a valuable member of the CTECS board since 2020, contributing her expertise in educational leadership and her passion for fostering students' career readiness. Her time on the board is marked by a commitment to improving technical education programs and ensuring that they meet the evolving needs of both students and employers. Through her work, she has emphasized the importance of aligning educational best practices with industry demands, enhancing graduates' employability, and supporting economic growth in Connecticut. Her election as Vice Chair is a testament to her colleagues' recognition of her contributions and her vision for technical education in the state. As she steps into this role, Dr. Wosczyna-Birch is poised to influence policy decisions and strategic initiatives that will shape the landscape of technical career education. In addition to her responsibilities as Vice Chair, Dr. Wosczyna-Birch serves as the Principal Investigator and Executive Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (NCNGM). The NCNGM is at the forefront of advancing manufacturing technologies and practices, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Under her guidance, the NCNGM has embarked on numerous projects to enhance workforce skills and promote research that bridges the gap between academia and industry.

The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System has an advisory board made up of eleven members, including: two individuals with experience in manufacturing or a trade offered by CTECS, or who are alumni of the system; two executives from Connecticut-based employers nominated by the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission; and the Commissioners of Education, Economic and Community Development, and Labor, or their designees, who serve as ex-officio members. The Governor appoints the board members with the advice and consent of the General Assembly, and also selects the Chairperson. CTECS Board 2026 Mr. Jeff Auker, Board Chair, Head Associate Vice President, Head of Innovation and Delivery at Infosys

Mr. Todd Berch, Board Member, State Apprenticeship Director, Office of Apprenticeship Training, OAT/CTDOL

Mr. Shawn Coyne, Board Member, Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, Electric Boat Corporation

Ms. Patricia Feeney, Board Member, Coordinator of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation, and retired CTECS Administrator

Mr. Jim Gildea, Board Member, Director of Manufacturing, Bigelow; Board of Education Chair, Derby, CT; CTECS Alumnus

Mr. Lance Hall, Board Member, The Loomis Chaffee School, Director of the Physical Plant, CTECS Alumnus

Mr. Keith Norton, Board Member, Chief Strategic Planning Officer, Department of Education

Ms. Alice Pritchard, Executive Director of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS)

Ms. Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, Board Member, Commissioner of Education at the Connecticut State Department of Education

Ms. Danté Bartolomeo, Board Member, Commissioner Department of Labor

Dr. Kelli-Marie Vallieres, Board Member, State of CT Chief Workforce Officer Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch, Board Member, Director and Principal Investigator of the National Science Foundation funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing To learn more about CTECS visit their website: https://www.cttech.org