H. Wes Pratt, J.D.
H. Wes Pratt, J.D
A lifelong public servant, started making a difference as a student community activist at Central High School and at Drury University. After graduating from the University of San Diego Law School, Pratt worked in state, local and county government, then became a San Diego City Council member. Pratt has worked in non-profit corporate administration, youth program development and higher education.
Pratt champions empowerment through valuing the inclusion of diversity. He served as an attorney in private practice, as the first African American state director of the California Conservation Corps, and as deputy director of the Maryland Job Corps.
Pratt returned to his hometown in 2007
In 2011 Pratt was appointed Director of Institutional Equity and Compliance/Equal Opportunity Officer, the Title IX Coordinator, and worked to ensure accessibility and reasonable accommodations for disabled employees and students as the ADA Compliance Coordinator.
In 2016, MSU President Clif Smart appointed Pratt the Assistant to the President/Chief Diversity Officer (CDO).
Pratt was responsible for executive level implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on campus and in the general community; the Annual Collaborative Diversity Conference; and establishing Inclusive Excellence as the core value in the 2016-2021, and the current 2021-2026, university Long Range Plans.
Pratt is a co-founder and President of the Multicultural Business Association (MB)[formerly dba Minorities in Business (MIB)]; is a member of the NAACP-Springfield Chapter; Co-founder of the Gathering, a community-organizing group that revitalized the local NAACP; a Bridge Springfield: ”Brother2Brother” advisor and Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) Ambassador; and retired from Missouri State University in 2022 after 58 years in public service.
Pratt was recognized in 2017 as the first ever “417- Breakthrough Award” winner for his life-long career in public service and work in promoting diversity and inclusion at Missouri State University and in the Springfield community.
In 2021 Pratt was recognized as a Biz 417 Most Influential Business Leader.
Pratt is a father, grandfather, and mentor who lives the motto that “Public Service is the Noblest Good!”