Dr. Ferrara is the associate dean of undergraduate programs and a professor. In addition to her campus duties, she is the professional development school (PDS) network coordinator and the college liaison to the Thomas A. Edison professional development school in Port Chester, NY, a partnership she has created in 2002.

She is the recipient of the American Educational Research Association’s Claudia A. Balach PDS SIG Research Award and the Jason Kinsey-Friend of the National Association of Professional Development School’s Award. These awards are granted to individuals that demonstrate an ongoing ownership in P-12 and university collaborators research, investigation of issues that impact student outcomes and/or teacher professional development, an ongoing interest in teachers as researchers, and a sustained program of research and inquiry.

Dr. Ferrara is the series co-editor for Professional Development School Research Book Series and the section co-editor of PDS Partners. She is the author of numerous articles, blogs and has contributed chapters to several books on professional development schools, community schools and community/school partnerships. She presents national and internationally on these topics. Her work has appeared in Educational Leadership, The Journal of Research in Character Education, School-University Partnerships, The Journal of Leadership in Teaching and Learning, and Teacher Education and Practice.

Prior to joining the Manhattanville faculty, Dr. Ferrara held positions as a general and special education teacher, a literacy coach, and school administrator for the New York City Department of Education.

Doctor of Education, NSU Southeastern University
Administration and Supervision, Ph.D., Brooklyn College
Literacy, Master of Science, Yeshiva University
Elementary/Special Education, Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, York College