Dr. Nicole Westrick serves as the Assistant Vice President and Dean of the College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies at Morgan State University, where she leads 18 interdisciplinary degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The Morgan Completes You program serves the growing number of adult learners with some college but no degree.
Under her leadership, CICS has worked across the university to advance institutional practices for Credit for Prior Learning, including the development of portfolio-based assessment courses, the acceptance of ACE credit recommendations for both military and certifications, and the expansion of challenge exam pathways. She is a national advocate for learning mobility and has championed policies and programs that validate diverse forms of learning across a lifetime.
Dr. Westrick’s leadership centers on aligning higher education with real-world career pathways through apprenticeships, helping to meet state labor needs, and digital credentials to support all learners in gaining work-ready skills. Morgan State University was recently selected to participate in the LER Accelerator, which will catalyze collaboration with Territorium to launch digital credentials that capture verifiable skills gained both in and beyond the classroom. Her research examines the role of generative AI in promoting equitable recognition practices and supporting teaching that centers on learners through backward design and Universal Design for Learning.
As a first-generation college graduate and lifelong learner herself, she is deeply committed to ensuring educational access, workforce relevance, and designing systems that meet learners where they are. This commitment includes ensuring that every student’s experience and expertise count toward their educational goals.