Dr. Ian Wolf (EdD '21) reflects on his Manhattanville experience with deep appreciation for the faculty and the exceptional support he received during the challenging COVID period. His first encounter with the program came during a Spring symposium, where he arrived unsure of what to expect. As he listened to a panel of higher education leaders discuss legal issues affecting students, he realized the program's relevance to his professional responsibilities. "The information session, quite frankly, blew me away," he recalls.
Ian describes Manhattanville's EdD program as unique, designed to meet students' needs regardless of their professional, personal, or academic circumstances. The intimate liberal arts atmosphere made him feel valued as an individual rather than just another “number”. He particularly highlights two pivotal faculty members: Dr. Susan Iverson and Dr. Renée Gargano, whom he considers foundational to the program's success.
Dr. Gargano served as the "glue" that held students together during those difficult times, consistently addressing concerns and providing support. Meanwhile, Dr. Iverson brought a level of academic rigor that reinforced the program's small liberal arts character. Whether through in-person coursework or virtual Zoom sessions, the care and attention Ian experienced demonstrated that Manhattanville not only supported its student body through unprecedented challenges but also maintained the high academic standards expected of a doctoral program.
Ian's dissertation, "BORDER ECLIPSE: AN INTERPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS (IPA) OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT CONDUCT PROFESSIONALS' ROLES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC," examined how the global pandemic impacted community college administrators. Despite the chaos of conducting data during the pandemic, Ian notes that the challenges only reinforced the critical need for scholarly practitioners to continue research that advances education. Looking ahead, he hopes to extend his research through a post-COVID lens, examining which educational practices have persisted versus those that have reverted to pre-pandemic approaches.
The impact of Manhattanville's doctoral program extends far beyond individual graduates, filling crucial gaps in educational literature. Ian emphasizes that every dissertation empowers scholarly practitioners to effect change from the ground level up. The research conducted at Manhattanville benefits scholars across the region, from New Jersey to Washington, D.C., providing critical insights that inform decisions about national and local elections as well as public education policy. The program's 15-year anniversary only reinforces its strength and permanence in the educational landscape.
Currently serving as Assistant Dean for Student Engagement at Passaic Community College, Ian oversees student activities, including wellness activities, counseling services, housing, athletics, and other aspects of student life across campus. He remains committed to advancing his career in higher education, particularly within the community college sector, with aspirations for senior leadership roles in the future.
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.
