Alisa Deck

Alisa Deck, widely known as Lisa Deck, is a workforce development strategist and education professional with more than 25 years of experience bridging industry and education. As a Program Manager at Purdue University’s Indiana Next Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC), she works with employers, educators, students, and community partners to develop career pathways that prepare individuals for meaningful employment. Her professional journey began with 13 years in manufacturing, including seven years focused on human resources, workforce development, and training. She later established her own consulting business, providing leadership development and training to organizations throughout Indiana before expanding her work into education and workforce innovation.

Lisa is the architect of the Pathways System model, which integrates academic learning, technical training, and professional skill development to help students make informed career decisions. Through her work with Purdue Polytechnic IN-MaC and other workforce initiatives, she brings industry leaders, educators, and community stakeholders together to design employer-driven programs that reflect local workforce needs. Her efforts have contributed to the development and expansion of 22 academies and institutes across Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Mississippi. These programs span manufacturing, healthcare, medical education, agriculture, skilled trades, construction, and emerging fields such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and data science. By emphasizing hands-on learning, internships, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized credentials, Lisa helps students explore career opportunities, develop essential workplace skills, and pursue rewarding careers while reducing unnecessary educational debt.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lisa is deeply committed to helping others succeed and strengthening the communities she serves. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies with a focus on education from Indiana University Indianapolis and a Master of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, completing both degrees as a nontraditional student without taking on student debt. Her personal experience reinforced her belief that education and career advancement can take many forms beyond the traditional college route. Lisa has served as president of the Decatur County United Fund and is involved with the Kids Discovery Factory, a children's museum in Batesville, Indiana. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her six grandchildren and working on her family farm. Guided by her passion for service, collaboration, and lifelong learning, Lisa continues to build partnerships that expand career opportunities, strengthen local economies, and help individuals realize their potential.