Tampa, Fla., May 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Board of Trustees of Vocate Education Solutions, Inc. (Vocate) today announced the appointment of Alexandra Schaffrath as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Schaffrath has held senior executive leadership roles within Vocate’s network for the past 14 years, most recently serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer at UMA. As Vocate’s President and CEO, she will lead all its institutions in extending the accessibility and economic impact of workforce-relevant education.
Schaffrath’s appointment follows a competitive and extensive national search for a mission-driven executive with a bold vision and a proven ability to innovate in the fields of higher education and workforce development as well as a deep commitment to driving meaningful, measurable and durable outcomes for learners, employers and communities.
“We are living in an era of tremendous change as technological advancements accelerate, workforce needs evolve and the demand for well-trained workers continues to rise in vital fields like allied healthcare. Education sits at the intersection of all this transformation and is more important than ever,” said Dr. Saundra Wall Williams, Chair of Vocate’s Board of Trustees. “Alexandra is a transformative leader whose strategic insight, collaborative approach and unwavering commitment to our mission make her uniquely qualified and prepared to guide Vocate into its next chapter. Her leadership has already strengthened our organization in profound ways, and the Board has full confidence in her ability to advance our mission on behalf of the learners, partners and communities we serve.”
Throughout her tenure, Schaffrath has played a pivotal role in shaping long-term strategy and improving outcomes for UMA’s — and now Vocate’s — learners and employer partners. She helped establish the organization’s strategic planning function, led key initiatives and supported the expansion of Vocate’s institutional footprint. Her leadership has strengthened data-driven decision-making and reinforced fiscal stewardship, enabling continued investment in learner success and employer partnerships.
Beyond her strategic and operational impact, Schaffrath has been a champion for people and communities. She serves as the executive sponsor for Vocate’s Women’s Improvement Network (W.I.N.), the organization’s first Employee Resource Group, and has been an active mentor through Vocate’s executive sponsorship program. An avid advocate for heart health, she has served on the American Heart Association of Tampa Bay’s Go Red for Women Executive Cabinet since 2019 and chaired the group in 2025. She also serves on the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, Hospice Women of Philanthropy and the USF Nault School of Entrepreneurship Mentorship Program.
In 2023, Schaffrath was recognized as a Tampa Bay Business Journal CFO of the Year honoree for her organizational and community contributions.
“It is a privilege to serve an organization whose mission is rooted in genuine care and a shared responsibility to improve lives,” said Schaffrath. “Vocate’s learners, partners and team members inspire me every day and I am committed to building on our strong foundation to expand opportunity, strengthen workforce pathways and meet the evolving needs of learners and employers nationwide.”
About Vocate Education Solutions
Vocate is a non-profit higher education and workforce solutions provider dedicated to closing the nation’s talent gaps in critical industries such as healthcare. Through its entities, including Ultimate Medical Academy, American Institute, Nasium Training and Global Education Group, Vocate serves more than 20,000 adult learners nationwide, primarily in under-resourced populations. These learners seek the knowledge, skills and credentials needed to transition from job tracks in retail, food service and hospitality to career paths with growth potential in high-demand fields. Backed by more than 130 years of combined experience in higher learning across its institutions, Vocate delivers accessible, career-aligned programs enhanced by employer partnerships and comprehensive student support services. To date, Vocate has helped more than 100,000 graduates achieve career success through tailored, accessible education and expedited job placement support.
For more information about Vocate, its institutions and leadership, visit https://www.vocate.org.
- Alexandra Schaffrath Appointed President and CEO of Vocate Education Solutions