HARRISBURG — Effective November 13, 2025, Zachary L. Adams is serving as the Executive Director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. Prior to this appointment by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania’s Board of Directors, he served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Workforce Alignment at the Tennessee Board of Regents, where he led statewide initiatives focused on partnerships, programs, and policies designed to increase student success and strengthen workforce development.
“Stepping into the role of Executive Director is a true honor,” said Zachary L. Adams. “I am grateful to the Board of Directors for their trust in me, and I am excited to build on the Center’s strong legacy. I am eager to work with our Board and staff, the General Assembly, and our partners across rural Pennsylvania to strengthen and expand the Center’s impact.”
Before his tenure at the Tennessee Board of Regents, Mr. Adams held leadership positions at the Tennessee Department of Education, where he supported statewide college and career readiness initiatives and developed AP Access for All that expanded access and participation in AP coursework across the state. He began his career as a science educator and Teach For America corps member, teaching in both Mississippi and Tennessee.
Mr. Adams holds a master’s degree in public policy from Vanderbilt University and is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, studying education policy.
For more information about the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, visit www.rural.pa.gov.