Empire State University Graduates Second Ed.D. Cohort
Empire State University launched its inaugural Doctor of Education degree program in the fall of 2021. Now, five academic years later, it graduates its second cohort of Ed.D. students on Thursday, May 28.
Read on to learn more about the program’s spring 2026 graduates, who—in their own words—share the most valuable lessons and skills they learned.
Meet the Cohort:
Donelle Bailey
Hometown: Antigua
“Throughout my academic journey here at SUNY Empire, the most valuable skill and lesson learned is persistence. This doctoral degree has challenged me for the better and through my unwavering persistence, I was able to accomplish my goal.”
Kristin Bennett
Hometown: Christ Church, Barbados
“One of the most valuable lessons I learned throughout my Ed.D. journey was the importance of community. As someone who works well independently, I expected this experience to feel isolating, especially after often hearing that doctoral work is a ‘lonely’ journey. However, this program proved the opposite. The encouragement, support, and shared experiences of both the faculty and my cohort members were essential to my success. I would not have reached this milestone without that sense of connection, and I am deeply grateful to have learned the true power of community alongside such incredible people throughout this journey.”
Nicole Davis
Hometown: Andover, NY
“Completing this degree allowed me to build my skills in leadership and management within the higher education system. I feel competent to lead my department and advocate for my faculty members.”
Karen Dybus
Hometown: Huntington Station, NY
“The most valuable lesson I learned is that with the will, desire, and drive, you can achieve anything at any age. This journey strengthened my confidence in who I am and the leader I am becoming, while reminding me to stay humble and open to learning from others. Now, as director of Student Health Services, I lead with that mindset—embracing growth, learning from missteps, and seeking guidance from those around me. During my most challenging moments, it was the encouragement of my cohort that carried me forward, reinforcing that resilience and community are essential to success.”
Carrie Fishner
Hometown: Delhi, NY
“I think the most valuable lesson I learned as part of this program is there is no one right way to do this. Higher education is evolving at an incredible rate, and we, as leaders, need to be willing to be flexible and creative if we are going to be able to keep our institutions competitive and healthy.”
Cherrelle Hall
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
“As a higher education practitioner, I’ve learned that being truly effective requires cultivating a continuous improvement mindset. The higher education landscape is constantly shifting—often unpredictably—much like any other industry, and the ability to navigate that change is both essential and consequential. As a researcher, I’ve also come to understand the critical role of intersectionality and how deeply it shapes my work. It allows me to more fully examine the complex issues facing higher education and to design solutions that are equitable and responsive to diverse experiences.”
Janna Lamey
Hometown: Dryden, NY
“The most valuable skill I gained was the confidence to express my ideas clearly and thoughtfully. Throughout my degree, I learned to articulate my perspectives—especially in writing—support them with evidence, and communicate my reasoning with clarity. That process strengthened my critical thinking abilities, pushing me to question assumptions, evaluate information more rigorously, and refine my viewpoints. Together, these skills now shape how I communicate and solve problems.”
Joshua Nelson
Hometown: Oneonta, NY
“The most valuable lesson I learned while completing the Ed.D. program was recognizing the difference between institutional intention and lived student experience. My research explored how colleges communicate support and equity initiatives versus how those supports are actually experienced and implemented in practice. That process reinforced the importance of evidence-informed leadership and intentional systems design in creating meaningful and sustainable change for students, particularly those navigating significant barriers to higher education.”
James Parise
Hometown: Massapequa, NY
“One of the most valuable lessons I learned while completing the Ed.D. program was the importance of perseverance and self-growth. Through the support of colleagues and staff, I developed stronger leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. More importantly, the program taught me how much can be accomplished through hard work, resilience, and dedication.”
Diane Perillo
Hometown: Sayville, NY
“I learned how to approach data differently. It is important to use data but learning how to leverage the different insights it can provide can truly make a difference. It is also important to understand the ‘why’ behind the data collection; this will yield better results.”
Ashley Perrone
Hometown: Medford, NY
“The most valuable lesson I learned in this program is to believe in myself and my abilities. I’ve always struggled with my self-confidence, especially when it comes to academics. This program and its faculty members helped me realize that I have a lot to offer and have great ideas. I remember in a meeting with my dissertation chair, he called me a ‘brilliant quantitative researcher’ and I was floored! Moving forward, this Ed.D. program has taught me that I am capable of more than I give myself credit for, and I am ready to tackle whatever comes next!”
Eric Rivera
Hometown: Bronx, NY
“Always know when it is time to ask for help!”
Note: Kristen Kagan, not pictured, is also a member of this second graduating cohort.