Layla Merrifield will begin new role this September
The Wisconsin Technical College System Board today announced the next leader of Wisconsin’s largest higher education System.
Layla Merrifield has been named the next president of Wisconsin’s largest higher education system. Layla 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, a nonpartisan service agency of the Wisconsin Legislature, then as a Wisconsin Technical College System policy advisor. 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.
“I am pleased to announce that Layla Merrifield will be joining WTCS to lead us through the next era of technical and accessible education in the state,” said S. Mark Tyler, WTCS Board Chair. “Layla has been a fierce advocate for Wisconsin’s technical colleges for many years, and her knowledge of WTCS, our colleges and Wisconsin’s legislature makes her the perfect candidate to fill this role.”
“It is an honor to serve as president of the Wisconsin Technical College System. I look forward to working with WTCS to meet its vision of empowering technical colleges to recognize the unique needs of individuals and employers in driving economic prosperity for all,” said Layla Merrifield, newly named president of WTCS. “WTCS will continue to work collaboratively to promote lifelong learning as a model for the advancement of all communities throughout Wisconsin.”
Layla succeeds Dr. Morna K. Foy who announced her retirement this spring after leading WTCS for twelve years. After conducting a national search which yielded many qualified candidates, the WTCS Board members conducted interviews of the two final candidates in August in Madison and unanimously chose Layla who will begin her new position on September 9.
About Wisconsin Technical College System
The Wisconsin Technical College System offers more than 500 programs awarding two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas, short-term technical diplomas, and certificates. The System is the major provider of customized instruction and technical assistance for Wisconsin employers. With more than 280,000 people enrolling each year, it is the largest higher education system in the state.
