Senior Partner for Systems Innovation
Stacy Townsley-Kestin
What is your personal adult learner story?
As a first-generation graduate, my journey from "blind luck" to a Ph.D. was fueled by a drive I now channel into advocacy. This work is personal: I watched a family member lose their dream of teaching because a rigid college system wouldn't accept their transfer credits or accommodate their work-family obligations. My early years advising returning students turned that frustration into a calling. I earned my doctorate to change the system so that higher education finally works for the students it is meant to serve.
What aspect of adult learning are you most focused on?
I help colleges move past surface-level fixes to create deeper systems-level change. I look at the big picture—how an institution’s culture and internal processes either help or hinder a student’s progress. Currently, I’m focused on building clearer pathways for military-connected students and finding better ways to measure the lasting changes that make an institution stronger.
My favorite projects are those where I can reimagine outdated processes to create seamless journeys for students. Recently, I led the launch of Indiana’s Collegiate Purple Star Award, which moved beyond ‘veteran-friendly’ labels to set a high, statewide standard for supporting military learners. I also worked to bridge the gap between government agencies and colleges to support incarcerated individuals, resolving the technical hurdles that often stall their progress. Both projects reflect my core mission: making the system catch up to the determination of the learner.
Favorite project you’ve worked on?
What excites you about the future of adult learning?
I’m energized by the shift toward ‘connected learning,’ where colleges, employers, and government agencies act as partners rather than silos. We are finally moving toward a higher education system that increasingly honors an adult’s lived experience through credit for prior learning and stackable credentials. I’m also excited to see how technology and AI can help align and sustain these efforts.
Beach, mountains, or city (vacation site)?
Mountains. I grew up in the wide-open prairie, which has its own quiet beauty, but the mountains bring a sense of mystery and scale that I love. Being in nature is where I find my greatest peace and rejuvenation.