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Dianne Lassai Barker serves as Deputy Executive Director of Program & Policy Strategy at the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, the nation’s only accrediting body for dual and concurrent enrollment partnerships. In this role, Barker leads efforts to strengthen policies and programs that help students successfully transition from high school to college and into meaningful careers. Her work centers on expanding access, ensuring quality, and building sustainable pathways for students, in particular, those historically underrepresented in higher education.

Barker advances NACEP’s mission by building strong relationships with state leaders and institutions, providing technical assistance, and guiding conversations that shape dual and concurrent enrollment policy. She also oversees the development and support of NACEP’s Affiliated Chapters and plays a key role in upholding accreditation standards that drive program quality and consistency. With a deep understanding of the intersection between secondary and postsecondary education, Barker is often called on to advise states and institutions navigating the complexities of program design, policy implementation, and equity in access.

With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Barker has held leadership roles in both institutional and state-level settings. Before joining NACEP, she served as Director of Secondary Education Initiatives and Dual Enrollment at the Technical College System of Georgia, where she led statewide strategy and implementation for Georgia’s dual enrollment programs across 22 technical colleges. She also served as Dual Enrollment Coordinator at Georgia’s largest technical college. 

A respected voice in the field, Barker regularly presents at national and state conferences. Her approach is grounded in the strong belief that dual and concurrent enrollment can change lives.

Originally from New Orleans. LA, Barker resides with her family in Marietta, GA.