Layla Merrifield has been named the next president of the Wisconsin Technical College System
Beginning September 9
Layla Merrifield has been the executive director of the Wisconsin Technical College District Boards Association, an organization representing the trustees of the 16 Wisconsin technical colleges’ district boards, since 2015. Prior to that she served as a fiscal analyst for the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau then a Wisconsin Technical College System policy advisor.
Layla has an extensive background in System-wide leadership and advocacy, and intimate knowledge of local colleges’ operations, student success goals and challenges. Having served in a System-wide leadership role for the past nine years, she is well-practiced in maintaining consistent communication between and among various stakeholder groups.
Layla has a bachelor’s degree in politics from Hendrix College and is pursuing a Master of Education degree, an articulated pathway to Doctor of Education. She is currently the chair of the Community College Association Executives.
Dr. Morna K. Foy
President, Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS)
Dr. Morna K. Foy is president of the Wisconsin Technical College System. President Foy believes in the power of technical education to enrich lives and strengthen Wisconsin’s economy. The result is a sharp focus on the innovation necessary to deliver relevant, valuable learning opportunities for students at every stage of their lives and careers, and a reliable talent pipeline for employers in every sector and region of the state.
WTCS consists of 16 technical colleges across the state and serves more than 270,000 students each year. Wisconsin’s technical colleges develop individuals at every stage of their academic and work careers into experts and entrepreneurs who make an immediate economic impact. The System ensures that program curriculum is driven by industry leaders representing every sector of Wisconsin's economy, who routinely serve on colleges' program advisory committees.
Morna has more than 25 years of experience in higher education policy development and leadership. She holds a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison, an MPA in Finance and Policy from Indiana University, and a doctorate in Education Leadership and Policy Analysis from UW-Madison.
Download a high-resolution copy of Dr. Foy's headshot.
System President Foy recently wrapped-up a Tour of Excellence visiting all 16 technical colleges.