As associate director for technical assistance at Advance CTE, Maria Swygert supports national initiatives focused on expanding access to and strengthening high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) programs across the country. She provides strategic technical assistance to state education agencies, members, and stakeholders to advance CTE policy implementation, career readiness initiatives, and learner-centered pathways that prepare students for success in postsecondary education and the workforce.

Maria brings more than 20 years of experience across both secondary and postsecondary education, offering a comprehensive perspective on the educational continuum and workforce development. Prior to joining Advance CTE, she held leadership roles with the South Carolina Department of Education, including team lead for accountability & reporting within the Office of Career Readiness and assistant director for the Office of Career and Technical Education. In these roles, she led initiatives focused on educational accountability, career readiness, student transition services, and data-informed decision-making to improve learner outcomes.

She also served as program coordinator for the South Carolina Technical College System, supporting statewide workforce development and career pathway initiatives. Earlier in her career, Maria was a computer science educator and technology integration specialist, specializing in instructional technology, online curriculum design, and web communications.

Maria’s work reflects a longstanding commitment to educational innovation, access for all learners, and creating strong connections between education and high-demand careers. Originally from South Carolina and now based in Florida, she enjoys traveling and supporting initiatives that connect learning, leadership, and workforce opportunities nationwide.