Meet Dr. Susan Iverson, Professor and Director of Doctoral Program

When Dr. Susan Iverson first began her journey in higher education, she didn’t immediately know it would become her life’s work. What started as a passion for student involvement during her undergraduate years evolved into a 35-year career dedicated to education, leadership, and mentoring the next generation of change-makers. 

“I didn’t know immediately that the field of higher ed existed,” Iverson recalled with a smile. “But it sort of revealed itself to me.” 

After earning her undergraduate degree, Iverson spent time working with the American Heart Association before returning to campus life as a residence hall director. That role sparked what would become a long and fulfilling career in student affairs. Over the next 15 years, she advanced through a series of administrative positions—from Assistant Director of Housing to Associate Dean—across several institutions in Virginia, Massachusetts, and Maine. 

While at the University of Maine, Iverson began her doctoral studies, assuming she’d continue her path in senior administration. However, the joy she found in teaching and research inspired a pivot. “I decided to take the fork in the road to be a faculty member in higher ed preparation programs,” she said. That decision led her to Kent State University, where she taught in the Higher Education graduate and doctoral programs for a decade. 

In 2016, the next chapter of her story began at Manhattanville University. Drawn by the opportunity to help launch the new higher education pathway within the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, Iverson brought her years of experience and her passion for preparing thoughtful, empathetic leaders to the region and beyond. By 2017, Manhattanville had welcomed its first two doctoral cohorts under her guidance. A year later (in 2018), Iverson assumed the role of Program Director, and later, Department Chair—overseeing all graduate and doctoral programs in educational leadership. 

Under her direction, the program has flourished. What began in 2010 as a single doctoral cohort serving PK12 leaders in the region has evolved into three distinct pathways, with growing enrollment and a strong sense of community, serving leaders across the U.S. and beyond. “We had 38 graduates last year,” Iverson said proudly. “We strive to continue to support students in the same personalized way, even as that growth has unfolded.” 

Iverson attributes much of the program’s success to its intentionality, adaptability, and most importantly, its human-centered approach. “We are a program that leads with empathy,” she emphasized. “We understand people’s complicated, personal, scholarly, and professional lives—and we make that understanding central to how we teach and advise.”

That empathy is especially critical as educational leaders navigate the rapidly changing landscape of higher education. From the lingering effects of the pandemic to the rise of generative AI, Iverson and her team are constantly reflecting on how to keep Manhattanville’s curriculum current and meaningful. “It’s on the front of my mind all the time,” she noted. “We’re celebrating 15 years and consistently engage in reflective practice to make sure what happens in our courses is relevant to today’s challenges.” 

Still, amid change, Iverson remains grounded in what she loves most—teaching, advising, and watching her students grow. 

“That’s where my heart is,” she said. “I apparently do a good job in leadership and program coordination, but working with students is where I feel my rewards.”

For aspiring leaders considering a doctorate in educational leadership, Iverson’s advice is both practical and heartfelt. “It’s a stamina test,” she said with a laugh. “You’ve got to really want to do it—not just for promotion or economic gain, but because it’s personally meaningful to you. It’s an investment in yourself.”

She also encourages students to embrace the cohort model, build relationships, and have fun along the way. “Opportunities start to open up when you’re in this space. You’re viewed differently once you become a doctoral student—and the Manhattanville network is incredibly powerful.” 

Beyond her academic life, Iverson is as down-to-earth as she is accomplished. A proud New England native who grew up on a dairy farm, she loves animals, nature, and the outdoors. She’s more of a cat person—but shares her home with Mauri, a large and lovable Alaskan malamute-pitbull-St. Bernard mix. When she’s not working, you might find her at a brewery, listening to 70s rock, or out dancing. Her favorite food? “Pizza,” she said without hesitation. “And ice cream—definitely ice cream.” 

From winning a cow milking contest as a child to kissing the Blarney Stone in college, Iverson’s journey has been as rich and full of heart as the students she inspires. Her story is a testament to the power of empathy, adaptability, and passion in leadership—and a reminder that the best leaders are those who never stop learning.

The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership is designed for practicing and prospective leaders and experienced educators in P-12 and higher education, serving schools, districts, private and independent schools, charter schools, colleges, universities, community organizations, and entrepreneurial endeavors. The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership consists of 3 pathways and adopts a cohort model enabling students to be part of a dynamic and cohesive community of learners during the EdD program.

Currently enrolled students and doctoral alumni are highly accomplished scholar-practitioners who appreciate and have benefited from the value of having a terminal degree in the field of education.

Celebrating Excellence since 2010

About Manhattanville University:

Manhattanville University is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social responsibility. For three years in a row, “U.S. News and World Report” has ranked Manhattanville the number one private, non-profit institution in New York among Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its primarily residential and diverse student body. The university serves more than 1,300 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the university offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from more than 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities and 24 NCAA Division III teams.