Since its inception, Manhattanville has cultivated a community of lifelong learners, many of whom have gone on to shape educational policy, lead institutions, and contribute groundbreaking research. One such distinguished alumnus is Joseph J. Phillips (EdD ‘14), a member of Signature cohort 2, who not only earned his doctorate at Manhattanville but also transitioned into a teaching role at the university. In addition to serving as part-time clinical core doctoral faculty, initially with the Dissertation Completion Pathway (originally called Executive EdD), he was instrumental in the evolution of the Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP), developing the online courses for the 2020 launch of DCP online. These developments have broadened the program’s reach, attracting students from across the country and around the globe.
Dr. Phillips summarized the EdD program in three words: leadership, scholarship, and support. Seeing his colleagues succeed as scholars and attain leadership and research positions was one of the most gratifying parts of his time as a student and a professor. Yet, what truly sets Manhattanville apart, he believes, is its unwavering support for students. At Manhattanville, faculty go the extra mile, ensuring that students have the mentorship needed to successfully complete their dissertations. Whether through individualized mentoring or the strong cohort model, the doctoral program has built an enduring community of support. Many alumni continue to stay connected, offering guidance to current students and collaborating on research endeavors.
For Dr. Phillips, research has always been a driving force. His dissertation focused on school practices and its impact on English Language Arts achievement among Hispanic fourth graders. Inspired by firsthand experience teaching in a predominantly Hispanic school, he sought to identify factors influencing student success. Today, he continues this work as a research analyst at Westchester Community College, applying predictive analytics and data-driven methodologies to improve student outcomes. His current research includes developing models to forecast enrollment patterns, measuring student satisfaction, and assessing institutional effectiveness — efforts that have an immediate and meaningful impact on decision-making processes in higher education. The shift from traditional statistical methods to advanced machine learning techniques has been both a challenge and a rewarding opportunity to stay at the forefront of educational research.
Dr. Phillips’ crystal-clear memories embody the supportive spirit that he experienced as a doctoral student and that he provided students as a faculty member. Most notably, students would praise his patience as an instructor of quantitative research. Dr. Phillips remains affiliated with the doctoral program as an adjunct and dissertation committee member. His outstanding contributions were recognized in 2022 with the School of Education alumni award for Distinguished Service.
As Manhattanville celebrates 15 years of excellence, it remains committed to fostering the next generation of educators, researchers, and leaders who will continue to make an indelible impact on the world of education.
To learn more about the doctoral program, we invite you to attend an upcoming info session
Donations to the Doctoral Program EmpowerEdD Leadership Fund support our students and their research
The “EmpowerEdD Leadership Fund” Fund was established in 2015 to pay it forward to the Manhattanville University Doctoral Program. We thank you for your generosity and support of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership!
Take Your Career to the Next Level
Elevate your leadership skills, deepen your understanding of critical and contemporary education issues, and learn to help solve the current challenges in P-20 education.
Learn to Inspire Change
The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville, offered in partnership with Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES, utilizes a forward-thinking approach to educational leadership that is ideal for practicing and aspiring leaders in any educational context. It is designed to support the goals of educational professionals who seek to develop their leadership skills for career advancement or current job enhancement.
