Dr. Nicole Westrick currently serves as the Assistant Vice President and Dean for the College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. In this role, she leads the 18 interdisciplinary degree programs at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral level that provide paths to graduation for students with some college and no degree.  The College is also responsible for Morgan Online, which supports online program and course development for the university, and the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies which has been supporting adult learners for 60 years. 

Prior to Morgan State University, Dr. Westrick served as Associate Vice Provost for University College at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. In this role, she led the Fall 2021 launch of the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) program, a degree completion program which graduated its first students in May 2022.  

In 2019, Dr. Westrick was recognized for her continuing education leadership by the Mid-Atlantic University Professional Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) with the Alexander Charters Emerging Continuing Educator award. Throughout her nearly a decade at Temple University, Westrick was involved with a number of strategic initiatives involving adult learners including leading the implementation of a university-wide non-credit registration system and creating partnerships to develop student-centered workforce programs. These programs range from a vocational certificate in urban greening and sustainable land care in the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, and professional development and workforce programs such as the Business of Architecture non-credit certificate with the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, constable and sheriff continuing education programs for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) with the College of Liberal Arts’ Criminal Justice department, and non-credit  leadership courses developed and designed for the Southeastern Public Transportation Authority (SEPTA). 

Prior to Temple University, Westrick worked at Johns Hopkins University as the Business Solutions Manager on the Student and Administrative Systems team. In this role, Westrick worked with units across the university to develop solutions to systems and technology issues. This allowed Westrick to develop a keen skill for analysis allowing her to identify and see patterns in understanding the future of work and training, including the importance of digital literacy. 

Dr. Westrick’s learner first approach developed during her time as a consultant when she led the training development and design projects for a variety of organizations including General Electric Power Systems, American Electric and Power Companies, the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P), Warner Brothers Consumer Licensing Products, and Los Angeles Unified School District.  

Dr. Westrick is a committed lifelong learner and first generation student who earned her master’s, graduate certificate, and PhD while working full-time. Westrick holds a bachelor’s in theater and communication from University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, a master’s in public management from Carnegie Mellon University, a Skilled Facilitator graduate certificate from Johns Hopkins University, and a PhD in Media and Communication from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.