Doctoral Writing Center
Dissertation Chairs for Ed.D.
Please see the available dissertation chairs for the Ed.D. program.
For advice on what to consider when selecting a chair, Click here (access with your @Westcliff.edu email).
Note: You will select two (2) options for chairs when completing the Dissertation Chair Selection Form.
Dr. Katherine Grisham
Educational background: PhD in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), currently enrolled in the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program at Florida International University, MBA in Management, BA in Education and Applied Linguistics
Subject matter expertise: Business Communication, Business Management, International Business, Cross-Cultural Management, Strategic Management, Organizational Behavior, Leadership, Academic & Business Operations, Marketing Strategy, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Dissertation title: Strategic management and development of a non-profit educational organization
Research interests: Business Strategy, Marketing Strategy
Research Background: Quantiative, Qualitative, Mixed Methods Research
Previous Publications
N/A
Prior Work Experience
Dr. Katherine Grisham is a professional business administrator and a certified educator with more than 20 years of experience in the in education industry to include higher education, private sector and K-12 education system. Dr. Grisham currently serves as the Director of Articulation and Academic Agreements at Barry University (Miami, FL). In this rope she is responsible for strategy planning, implementation and leadership for the ongoing development of mutually beneficial academic agreements between Barry University and educational organizations and other entities on the local, national and international level that result in undergraduate and graduate enrollment. She had previously worked for the world largest private education international company as an Academic Manager and then the Interim Academic Director where she oversaw all aspects of academic programs and managed a team of 20 instructors and administrative personnel, including hiring, onboarding, professional development and evaluation, academic budget including instructional space renovations, resource procurement and payroll. She was also responsible for admission, induction, and placement of approximately 500 international students. Dr. Grisham earned her Master of Business Administration in Management degree with her thesis devoted to strategic development of a private not-for-profit educational organization where she served as a Director of Studies. The organization provided services in corporate education for hospitality and tourism industry, ecological safety and teacher continuing education and certification, certified translation and notarization, website development and optimization. Dr. Grisham administered all aspects of academic programs including hiring and management of the faculty and staff and their performance. Throughout her career, Dr. Grisham served as an Associate Professor for private and public state universities abroad for more than 10 years and currently is an Adjunct Faculty both for the College of Business and College of Education at Westcliff University.
Dr. Brittney Hill
Educational background: Educational Leadership and Management
Subject matter expertise: Dr. Hill graduated from the following prestigious institutions: Winston-Salem State University, B.A. Sociology/Elementary Education 2009, Strayer University, MA Education Leadership and Management 2012, and Capella University, Ed. D Education Leadership and Management 2015
Dissertation title: Incorporating Democratic Leadership for Career Center Instructors and Staff: An Action Research Study
(Click here)
Research interests: Education leadership, Personal development, Effective coaching practices
Previous Publications
N/A
Prior Work Experience
Dr. Brittney C. Hill is a content educational practitioner currently serving as an educational practitioner, author, and compassionate leader that attract other professionals, scholars, and individuals in the community with a devoted purpose to impact the lives of others. Previously, Dr. Hill served various leadership roles in Winston-Salem, NC with the following organizations: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc and The Order of the Eastern Star PHA 30th District. Dr. Hill currently serves as a board member for the city of Winston-Salem, NC Appearance and Commission Board.
Dr. Raelene Haugen
Educational background: EdD in Organizational Leadership, MA in Multiple Subject / Curriculum and Instruction, and BS in Business Education
Subject matter expertise: Educational Leadership, Transformational Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, Remote Learning, Educational Policies & Funding, Effective Instructional Strategies
Dissertation title: Remote Learning – The Future of Education: Effective Instructional Strategies Used by Parent Educators and Recommendations for Building Capacity” (Click here)
Research interests: Educational Leadership, Transformational Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, Remote Learning, Educational Policies & Funding, Effective Instructional Strategies
Previous Publications
N/A
Prior Work Experience
Dr. Raelene Haugen has a love for learning and a passion to ignite growth. With 30 years as a leader in K-College education, she is experienced in areas such as classroom instruction, curriculum design, international education, research, remote learning, project based learning, experiential learning, and STEAM. Currently, Dr. Haugen is a professor for the Department of Education with Westcliff University. She is also the president of an educational consultancy. In addition, her desire to contribute to educational success has manifested in roles such as assistant principal, school accreditation chairperson, school newspaper editor, yearbook photography editor, and marketing/fundraising coordinator.
Dr. Eliot Jackson
Educational background: A.A.S in Applied Management; B.S in Applied Management; M.Ed Educational Administration; Ed.S Organizational Leadership; Ed.D Organizational Leadership
Subject matter expertise: Public Education
Dissertation title: Comparative Analysis of Sub Populations Between Charter and Traditional Public Schools
Research interests: Public Education, Educational performance, Standardized Testing, Public Charter Schools
Research Background: Quantiative Research
Previous Publications
N/A
Prior Work Experience
Dr. Jackson has more than 12 years teaching middle and high school mathematics and technology applications. He has been teaching undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level classes for more than 5 years. He has served as dissertation chair, methodologist, and committee member. He has served as doctoral faculty advisor to doctoral students. He has also previously worked in retail management as well as held leadership positions in the United States Navy as a weapons technician.
Dr. Trina Moore
Educational background: EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership, MA of School Administration
Subject matter expertise: Organizational Leadership, Organizational Change and Transformation, Educational Leadership, Principalship, Instructional Leadership, Curriculum and Development, Non-Profit Leadership, Teaching (K-12, Higher Education)
Dissertation title: Practicable Principal Leadership in Low Socioeconomic Elementary Schools (See here)
Research Interests: Organizational Leadership, Organizational Change and Transformation, Educational Leadership, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Underserved (At-Risk) Student Populations
Previous Publications
Prior Work Experience
Dr. Trina Moore brings 20 years of combined experience in leadership, teaching, and curriculum development to Westcliff University. Dr. Moore currently serves as the founder and leader of the Restorative Justice Educational Initiative (RJEI) for the educational non-profit Nehemiah Building Corporation. This initiative provides educational advisement and opportunities for underserved students.
Dr. Moore is a highly qualified and licensed principal and curriculum specialist. Her educational experience includes twelve years as a classroom teacher, nine years as an educational advocate, and five years as a school administrator.
Dr. Moore is a K-12 school founder and serves as the founding principal of Nehemiah Enrichment Academy. In higher education, Dr. Moore has been a guest lecturer for the University of Southern California for master and doctoral students in counseling, leadership, and education. She also has international experience as adjunct faculty for the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University, and Mulungushi University in Zambia, Africa. Dr. Moore has a wealth of experience in organizational leadership and behavior, K-12 school leadership, and working with underserved student populations.
Dr. Cynthia Worthen
Educational background: EdD Educational Leadership
Subject matter expertise: Organizational Leadership, Adult Learning, Leadership Development
Dissertation title: Executive Women Public Administrators and Leadership Development
Research Interests: Organizational development, organizational leadership, leadership development, strategic management
Previous Publications
Prior Work Experience
Dr. Cynthia Worthen is a Consultant and Adjunct Associate Professor. As a higher education administrator, she has served in the roles of Vice President Academic Affairs at Argosy University, Hawaii and Washington DC and Dean of Academic Affairs at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has presented at conferences in student academic success, diversity, and leadership.