Deb Pernat serves as the Program Director of the Institute for Rural Vitality, where she oversees grant management and leads the education center’s efforts in Microcredentials and Workforce Development at SUNY Cobleskill. Since being tasked in 2018 with researching, developing, and implementing microcredentials on campus, she has played a pivotal role in Cobleskill’s success, with over 64 credentials developed and more than 2,000 enrollments since Spring 2021. With 24 years of experience in higher education, Deb holds a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration. Beyond her campus responsibilities, she works alongside her family on their dairy farm in Fly Creek, New York. The farm is home to a small herd of dairy cows, produces approximately 30,000 square bales of hay, and operates a popular Corn Maze for fall activities. Additionally, the Pernat family runs a 21-stall horse boarding and training facility.