Highland Park Educator Frederick D. Williams Earns Doctorate at College of Saint Elizabeth

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Highland Park High School principal Frederick Williams has successfully defended his dissertation to earn a doctorate in educational leadership at the College of Saint Elizabeth.

MORRISTOWN, NJ (04/17/2013)(readMedia)-- Highland Park High School principal Frederick Douglas Williams of Avenel, N.J., has successfully defended his dissertation at the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE), 2 Convent Road, Morristown, N.J., to earn his doctorate in Educational Leadership. Williams' dissertation is entitled, "Perceptions of Ability Grouping and its Possible Contribution to the Achievement Gap." He is a resident of Avenel, N.J.

"My experience in the doctoral program at the College of Saint Elizabeth has been extremely rewarding," said Williams. "The College created a nurturing environment that allowed me to transition from my professional role during the day to a student seeking additional knowledge in the evening. I've gained useful skills and valuable knowledge that I currently use and am confident those skills will assist me in future leadership opportunities."

Williams has an extensive background in education and educational leadership. He began his career in his home state of South Carolina as a fifth grade Language Arts teacher at Myrtle Beach Elementary School, Myrtle Beach, S.C. After relocating to New Jersey in 1998, he served the East Orange School District for nearly six years as an English teacher and gospel choir director – for which he was twice nominated as teacher of the year. He advanced within the district, becoming dean of students in 2003-04, and principal of summer school in 2004. In August 2004, he moved to the Highland Park district where he served as assistant principal before being named principal in 2006.

Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Carolina - Columbia in 1991 and a Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision from New Jersey City University in 2003. He is the proud father of two children, Jonathan and Sydnee.

The doctoral program at CSE, which is dedicated to preparing leaders who are committed to social justice and ethical practice, began in August 2007. "Integrated into all course work and learning activities are the central values and beliefs necessary for school leaders to function as morally purposeful stewards for their school communities," states Msgr. Thomas J. McDade, Ed.D., course of study coordinator for the CSE doctoral program in Educational Leadership. "This philosophy of servant leadership represents a major shift from the traditional paradigm of school leaders as managers of resources which is so prevalent in today's practices."

Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J., the College of Saint Elizabeth enrolls more than 1,700 full- and part-time students in more than 25 undergraduate, 10 graduate and two doctoral degree programs; an Ed.D.in educational leadership and a Psy.D. in counseling psychology. For information on other activities or programs, visit the College of Saint Elizabeth web site at www.cse.edu.