Dr. Patrick Blessinger is a global thought leader in the field of education. Blessinger is the Founder, President, and Chief Research Scientist of the International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association (in consultative status with the United Nations), leading a global network of educators focused on advancing the scholarship and practice of teaching and learning in education worldwide.
Through HETL, Blessinger collaborates with educators, researchers, leaders, universities, NGOs, and international organizations like the IAU and the UN to fulfill this mission. Blessinger advocates for democracy, rights, justice, sustainable development, and universal lifelong education. Blessinger has convened several international conferences focusing on these and related issues.
Blessinger is an adjunct instructor of education at the State University of New York (old Westbury campus) and St. John's University (New York City). He has taught university courses in education, leadership, and research for many years and has served on doctoral dissertation committees. Blessinger has worked as a New York City public school teacher in math and science for many years, preparing students for academic success.
Blessinger is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, a Scopus Q1-ranked international journal, and the academic book series Global Perspectives on Higher Education Development. He has contributed to transforming the educational landscape as a co-editor and co-author of numerous scholarly publications on salient issues related to democracy, rights, justice, sustainable development, and their intersections with education. His publications reflect his commitment to promoting universal lifelong education and equitable and inclusive learning environments worldwide.
Blessinger actively contributes to policy discussions and educational reforms to leverage knowledge for sustainable development and societal transformation. He believes in the power of education to transform lives, shape nations, and build a better world, advocating for systems that prioritize learning for all to foster a more just, equitable, and sustainable society.
Blessinger is an educational policy analyst and contributing writer with UNESCO's Inclusive Policy Lab, University World News, The Hechinger Report, and The Guardian. Blessinger has received several educational awards, including Fulbright Senior Scholar to Denmark (Department of State, USA), Governor’s Teaching Fellow (Institute of Higher Education, University of Georgia, USA), and Certified Educator (National Geographic Society, USA). Blessinger has earned degrees from Auburn University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and St. John’s University (New York City).