Ed.D. Program Highlights

Morristown, N.J. (July 10, 2019) – Erik C. Leite has successfully defended his doctoral dissertation at the Saint Elizabeth University to earn an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

Leite began his career as an eighth-grade science teacher for Roselle Public Schools. However, for the past fourteen years, Leite has worked as both an Assistant Principal and Principal for Roselle's middle and high schools. He's dedicated his career to advocating for students less fortunate than those in more affluent districts.

His dissertation, titled "21st Century Learning: Utilizing Technology in Mathematics Classrooms to Improve Problem-Solving Skills," explores the effectiveness of technology on enhancing students' problem-solving abilities.

Leite's research revealed that when technology is applied in the classroom using appropriate infrastructure and teaching training the students' problem-solving skills improve.

Prior to attending SEU, Leite received the Latino American "Who's Who" Award, was inducted into the New Jersey Council of Education and was nominated for the Teacher of the Year Governor's Recognition Award. He earned a bachelor's in psychology from Montclair State University and a master's in educational leadership from Saint Peter's University.

Morristown, NJ (October 23, 2019) 

Elizabeth DeMichino-Acquadro has successfully defended her doctoral dissertation at Saint Elizabeth University to earn an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

DeMichino-Acquadro began her career as an educator in private schools, where she was able to convey her passion for science through teaching. However, after earning her master's in educational leadership from SEU, she transitioned into more administrative roles. Currently, she is the head of upper school and guidance at Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, N.J.

DeMichino-Acquadro's dissertation, titled "Examining the Impact of Orientation and Mentoring on New Teacher Induction," examined current orientation and mentoring practices at a private suburban middle/high school. Her research ascertained the effectiveness of these methods at inducting new teachers. The findings indicated that orientation was essential for new teachers and that one of the most difficult challenges for them was understanding the school's unique culture.

As a result of this research, DeMichino-Acquadro recommended that orientation be lengthened to achieve maximal effect for new teachers. Additionally, she suggested that mentors be assigned and monitored regularly and that a focus on professional development culture be implemented.

Prior to completing both a master's and doctoral degree at SEU, DeMichino-Acquadro earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from George Washington University.

Morristown, NJ (October 17, 2020) – Growing up in a Spanish speaking household, Dr. Alex Guzmán was in English Language Learner (ELL) programs until the third grade. Guzmán's personal experience as an ELL student spurred his interest in researching this population for his dissertation.

"English Language Learners are a linguistically, culturally and educationally diverse population who face barriers on their first day of school," explains Alex, the former principal of Middlesex High School in the Borough of Middlesex. "This diversity demands schools to address their needs."

Alex intends to use knowledge attained through earning his doctorate in educational leadership at SEU to create these equitable learning environments and encourage his peers to do the same. His desire to improve educational standards stems from his mother.

"My mom was always a strong advocate for education and hard work," says Alex. "She taught me to never get comfortable and always strive to do better or learn more."

While education has become Alex's calling in life, his first love was science. In fact, he even earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and had hopes of becoming an engineer. However, growing up in a single-parent household, his family couldn't afford to send him to an engineering university.

"Continuing to higher education is difficult for low-income families. My mom, my sister, and I worked tirelessly to put me through college," says Alex, who channeled his love of science into becoming a chemistry and physics teacher. "I was the first to graduate from college, the first to earn a master's and now a doctorate."

Alex credits SEU with creating a learning environment that challenged his thinking, allowed him to find success through failure and prepared him to achieve his ambitions. In the future, Alex hopes to inspire more Latinx students to pursue science careers and teach in higher education.

To find virtual or in-person information sessions, go to steu.edu/visit.

Morristown, N.J. (February 28, 2020) – Kurt Ceresnak has successfully defended his dissertation at the Saint Elizabeth University to earn an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

With more than a decade of service to New Jersey public schools as a teacher, coach and school administrator, Ceresnak is passionate about education. He currently is the principal at Netcong Elementary School in Netcong, N.J., and has previously taught at the middle and high school levels. Ceresnak also has served as an athletic and academic facilitator, assistant principal, principal, superintendent intern and grant coordinator.

His dissertation titled "Perceptions and Experiences of New Jersey School Principals When Implementing and Leading Educational Change Within a School" examines the ever-changing field of education in the state's public schools and how school principals are essential in determining factors that influence change within schools.

Ceresnak surveyed and interviewed school principals in order to determine what strategies would be most successful in achieving support from the staff and implementing change within the schools. This included an examination of the principals' perceptions of methods and techniques that influence teachers' instruction to students. Ceresnak found that when implementing change, principals must have stakeholder involvement and input, as well as earn trust and develop relationships. Among his findings, Ceresnak cited providing teachers with on-going support, specifically professional development, as key factors.

Morristown, N.J. (March 9, 2020) – Matthew A. Spelker has successfully defended his dissertation at the Saint Elizabeth University to earn an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

Dedicated and passionate, Matthew A. Spelker has been involved in education for many years. Most recently, Spelker was named Superintendent of the Harding Township School district, where he worked with the Harding school community to improve instruction, school climate, and the academic achievement of its students.

In 2013, the Harding Township School District partnered with the Saint Elizabeth University and the United Way to implement the Social Emotional Learning Initiative (SELI). Spelker's dissertation titled, "The Impact of a Social Emotional Learning Initiative on a School's Climate, Bullying, and Academic Achievement" explores the impact of social and emotional learning on students' education. Social and emotional learning is an essential part of education and the creation of a safe learning environment where students can thrive.

Over a five-year span, the study examined the impact the initiative had on the district's behaviors regarding bullying and violence, the teachers', parents', and students' perceptions of the school climate, and the teachers' perception of the school's academic performance.

Spelker earned a Bachelor of Art in History in 1989 from Dickinson College, completed his A.C.T training and earned a Master of Art in Educational Leadership from the Saint Elizabeth University in 2006.