Jessica D. Prater earned her M.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University in 2010 and returned to MTSU in 2018 as an adjunct professor in the Psychology Department. She currently serves as a Lecturer, teaching courses in teams in organizations, training and development, and creativity. Her teaching is informed by over 16 years of professional experience in organizational development, training, and human resources.      

After graduation, Jessica spent seven years with a major multinational manufacturing organization, holding roles in both human resources and manufacturing operations. In her final corporate assignment, she supported the training function for sixteen U.S., Mexico, and Canada manufacturing locations. Since 2016, she has consulted across industries, where she partners with organizations to build high-performing teams through organizational reviews, customized learning experiences, and coaching.      

Jessica holds the PHR certification and is a certified facilitator for Situational Leadership® and the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory. She is also an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation. Her professional interests include L&D, coaching, and organizational culture. She has mentored students through applied projects and continues integrating real-world consulting experiences into her teaching.      

She is passionate about her local community and has served on the boards of the Nashville Chapter of the Association for Talent Development, Murfreesboro Young Professionals (MYP), and Rutherford Cable. She was a 2023 nominee for the Rutherford ATHENA award. As a fifth-generation business owner, she brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial insight and corporate experience to her work.

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