Jennifer Lynn MacKay of Wyckoff, N.J., Earns Doctorate in Educational Leadership at College of Saint Elizabeth

Related Media

Jennifer Lynn MacKay

MORRISTOWN, NJ (04/21/2014)(readMedia)-- Jennifer Lynn MacKay of Wyckoff, N.J., has successfully defended her dissertation at the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE), 2 Convent Road, Morristown, N.J., to earn her doctorate in educational leadership. MacKay's dissertation is entitled, "Post Secondary Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities: Developing a Roadmap to Success." Her dissertation examined to what extent students, parents, school personnel and employers are familiar with the transition and resources provided for students with disabilities.

"I have truly enjoyed working with my colleagues and dedicated professors at the College of Saint Elizabeth," MacKay said. "The doctoral program's cohort model has allowed me, while completing a rigorous course schedule, to have a strong support system and develop meaningful relationships; this has been an extremely rewarding experience."

MacKay has been teaching for seven years. Currently she serves as the transition coordinator for students with disabilities, ages 18-21, for the New Horizons Program at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, N.J. She is also a member of the Board of Directors at the Phoenix Center in Nutley, N.J. McKay holds a Master of Science in Instructional Design from Western Governor's University in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from CSE.

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 Dr. John Crews, CSE educational leadership program chair. "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, New Jersey, the College of Saint Elizabeth enrolls more than 1,500 full- and part-time students in more than 25 undergraduate, 10 graduate and 2 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.