FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Sacred Heart University has announced its first- recipient of a doctoral degree in educational leadership (Ed.D.)―a milestone for the holistic approach of the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development.
Marissa J. White of New Haven successfully defended her dissertation, “I am Not Alone: Supporting Teachers of Color Through Affinity Groups,” before dozens of faculty and family members, administrators and fellow candidates of the Ed.D. program Feb. 10, both live on campus and livestreaming.
“In front of this group, I want to be the first to introduce Doctor White,” said T. Lee Morgan, director of inclusive teaching, who chaired the committee charged with supporting White’s dissertation. “Marissa, we’re so proud of you.”
Morgan noted only 1% to 2% of people in the world have earned the highest degree in their field of study and, in addition to joining that impressive group, White will be the first African-American to receive the Ed.D. at Commencement 2022 this spring.
“This is a space you deserve to be in,” he told her.
Trained with a holistic approach, students in the Ed.D. in educational leadership program develop social, emotional and academic leadership (SEAL) skills to lead organizations from a whole-child perspective, as well as effectively and ethically lead faculty and staff. The online, practice-focused program prepares candidates to expand their leadership principles; deepen their knowledge of political, economic and social forces that influence educational leaders’ decisions; and become practitioners and advocates for SEAL-based programs.
Graduates will be ready for positions such as superintendent of schools, principal, district curriculum leader and special education director, among others.
White, an assistant principal in a pre-K-5 school, wrote her dissertation to address the high percentage of teachers of color leaving classrooms and the education profession. She looked at several ways to promote professional development and a positive school culture and climate, focusing on the creation of school-based affinity groups to provide support, mentorship and safe spaces for teachers of color.
“Teachers of color do not need to be fixed,” she said. “The system needs to be fixed.”
White credited SHU’s program as instrumental to her growth as a leader in education. She said it gave her a comprehensive understanding of social-emotional learning and the value of embedding SEAL in schools and curricula, while developing her lens of improvement science.
“Taking a deep dive into practice, partnering with stakeholders and creating real and immediate change within organizations is the approach educational leadership has been missing,” she said. “Improvement science is the key to change, and I am thrilled to have been part of the first cohort to embark on this unique journey.”
Michael Alfano, SHU vice provost and dean of Farrington College, shared the news of White’s successful dissertation defense in an e-mail to the entire SHU community, lauding her for her impressive achievement.
“(White) has set the bar incredibly high for all who follow her,” Alfano said. “We should all be incredibly proud of what she accomplished.”
In addition to Morgan, the dissertation committee included Suzanne Marmo, assistant professor of social work, and K. Kayon Morgan, professor of educational leadership.
About Sacred Heart University
As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland and offers online programs. More than 9,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 387 Colleges–2022 Edition, “Best Northeastern” and Best Business Schools–2022 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu