Dr. John Falino currently serves as the Principal of IB High School in the Dobbs Ferry School District. He recalled joining cohort 1 of the Executive EdD [now Dissertation Completion] pathway as it was still taking shape. With this unique option, Manhattanville offered working professionals, who were ABD (all but dissertation) at another institution, with an opportunity to earn their EdD by completing their dissertation at Manhattanville. John described his Manhattanville’s professors as supportive and caring, “they will get you to the finish line,” he reflected with a sense of accomplishment, having defended his dissertation in less than 18 months after he started at Manhattanville.
Dr. Falino, an experienced scholar-practitioner, shared how rewarding it is to give back to Manhattanville through his service on dissertation committees. As a committee member, he feels proud of the network and community that Manhattanville has created with hundreds of teachers, counselors, higher education professionals and school leaders across NYS and at the national level. When Dr. Falino was asked to describe the program in one sentence, he noted that the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership “provides practitioners the opportunity to engage in authentic research in a way that can make a tangible difference in the day-to-day in school communities.” He emphasized the importance of studying a topic that connects with one’s professional practice. In his experience, the research component of a doctoral program allows educators to make data-informed decisions and think more deeply about the ill-structured problems that they encounter in their educational contexts. For John, it was a transformative experience to have professors who were connected to the field, having served as educational leaders, enabling them to connect those experiences to their teaching.
John’s 2016 dissertation, “An evaluation of a high school one-to-one Chromebook program that aims to support differentiation and 21st century learning,” focused on learning about the impact of these devices on students learning and sought to answer practical and crucial questions that arose as a result of more school communities implementing one to one technological devices.
John’s cohort, as the inaugural cohort in the Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP), left a mark on the Manhattanville community and paved the way for others to follow, noting that the Manhattanville Dissertation Completion Pathway became the place for his cohort (and subsequent cohorts) to achieve their doctoral dream. John reflected positively on the cohort model, noting that while doctoral students might enter DCP at different points in their doctoral journey, collectively they share the dream to complete the dissertation and earn their doctoral degree. He referred to his cohort peers as cheerleaders, supportive and unified, with seemingly boundless enthusiasm and drive. Being able to rely on each other and embark on this journey together was memorable for John and his peers.
On a professional level, Dr. Falino encourages educators at any level in their careers to embark on the doctoral journey. “The best educators are those who are able to think like researchers,” he shared, adding that he has benefited from having a researcher lens. All of John’s work is guided by data he collects, enables him to identify needs within his community and make informed and research-based decisions on how to best serve his students. This would not have been possible without having completed the program and conducted independent research for his dissertation which challenged his thinking and empowered his practice. Additionally, he noted that one’s own cohort peers, and all the other students and alumni in the doctoral program provide a powerful professional network while a student and long after completion.
John’s crystal clear memory of his time in the program was his final defense, which he described as “unforgettable”. As he walked into the Reid Castle to defend his dissertation, he recalled all the memories, including the late nights and sacrifices he’d made to each that incredible milestone. He reflected that there is no other feeling like when “you hear Dr. in front of your name” because at the end of the day, your doctoral degree is a labor of love, dedication, and perseverance.
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.
