Pre-Residency Events- Thursday, July 24, 2025 (various times)
We are excited to offer a variety of optional pre-residency events. Please review the options below and you can register for one when registering for residency. Students can only pick one to attend and space is limited so be sure to register sooner rather than later! All events are optional and not required to earn credit for attending residency.
Option 1: Museum of Fine Arts – 4pm – 6pm– CURRENTLY AT CAPACITY – email n.ali@northeastern.edu if you would like to be put on a waitlist
Your tour of the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston will center around an exploration of explicit, implicit, null, and evaded curriculum in public educational spaces through a social justice lens. We will meet at the entrance of the Museum of Fine Arts at 4pm. Facilitated by Dr. Noor Ali. Please be sure to register when registering for residency as spaces are limited. There is no cost to attend this event other than your travel to the MFA.
Option 2: Boston Children’s Museum – 9:30am – 1pm
Since 1913 Boston Children’s Museum has been the home of experiential learning for infants and children. Join us as we learn from museum staff about the history and pioneering strategies, ideas, and exhibits curated by a group of educators in the last century, through its evolution into one of the preeminent education spaces for children. Facilitated by Dr. Wendy Crocker, this experience will be of interest to those with a passion for early learning or a curiosity about ”hands-on” opportunities in museum spaces. Students should meet Outside Ruggles T Station. This event will also involve some walking and activity at the museum. There is a cost to attend this event – see below.
Cost: $22 general admission or $11 for PreK-12 Teachers in MA (with proof of employment); also cost for the train each way
Option 3: Roxbury Community Walk – 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Your tour of Roxbury will center around exploring Northeastern University’s adjacent neighborhood and its impact on the community. The tour will be led by Northeastern’s Community Service and Civic Engagement guides. You will learn about the community through an asset-based lens. Dr. Shaunna Harrington will facilitate the tour from the lens of Boston’s educational history. We will meet at the entrance of the Curry Student Center at 1:30 pm. There is no cost to attend this event other than getting to/from campus.
Option 4: Massachusetts State House – 12pm-4pm – CURRENTLY AT CAPACITY
Join fellow students for a tour of the Massachusetts State House as well as meeting with some Education staff. Students can meet at Northeastern in front of the main Northeastern sign on Huntington Avenue to travel to the State House via the train. Train cost is at the expense of the student. There is no other cost to attend. Please be sure to register when registering for residency as spaces are limited.
Option 5: Student-Led Unconference: Conversations for Connection & Support – 4pm – 6:30pm
This student-driven unconference will create space for meaningful peer-to-peer discussions, connection, and collective problem-solving. In a world where each student navigates unique challenges across their personal, professional, and academic identities, this space acknowledges the impact of current events—both internally and externally–and the power of shared experiences to help each of us meet this moment. Rather than a pre-set agenda, the structure and themes will be shaped by the participants using a facilitated process and mutually agreed-upon group norms. This structure will ensure this afternoon’s conversations reflect the goals, concerns, and interests of those in the room. Whether sharing triumphs, discussing challenges, or crowdsourcing solutions, this dynamic, interactive space allows students to engage in real-time, relevant dialogue that meets them where they are. The location will be on Northeastern’s Boston Campus (exact location TBD). There is no cost to attend this event other than getting to/from campus.
Graduate School of Education Residency Day 1
Friday, July 25, 2025 (8:00 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.)
Check-in, breakfast, and the welcome will all take place in the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (ISEC) located at 805 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02120.
| 8:00am – 9:00am | Check-in & Breakfast | ISEC Atrium |
9:00am – 10:00 am – Welcome & Keynote – ISEC Auditorium
Join us for the official kick-off of the 2025 Boston Summer Residency! You will hear from Jared Auclair, Dean of the College of Professional Studies, Dr. Corliss Thompson, Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Education, and Sherri Wilcauskas, President of the Graduate Student Education Research Association (GSERA). Following their welcomes, you will hear from Dr. Stefany Breton, our keynote speaker, who will speak about Turning the Ropes: Storytelling and Positionality as Praxis in Scholar-Practitioner Research. This keynote explores how scholar-practitioners can embrace positionality and storytelling not only as methodological choices but as radical acts of presence, power, and praxis. Drawing on the metaphor of Double Dutch Methodology (Green, 2022), they challenge traditional research paradigms that reward distance and detachment, offering instead a vision of relational, rhythmic, and rooted scholarship. Integrating insights from Bhattacharya’s (2018) de/colonizing frameworks and my own lived research experiences, the session offers an invitation to “turn the ropes” in our research—to co-create, to witness, and to remember that we were never meant to stand on the sidelines.
| 10:10am – 11:00am | Concurrent breakout sessions | ISEC and EXP classrooms, see below |
From Isolation to Collaboration: How GSERA Builds Community Among Graduate Researchers – ISEC 136
Criss Vo, MA, Jennifer Miller & Taylor Chelo, MA
Learn how GSERA supports graduate students in educational research through community-building, professional development, and collaborative opportunities that foster scholarly growth and connection.
Beyond Inclusion: Decolonial Approaches to Educational Action Research – EXP 202
Noor Ali, Ed.D.
This session examines how action research can perpetuate colonial dynamics and offers practical frameworks to transform educational inquiry into truly reciprocal, community-centered, and liberatory practice.
Anti-networking: Engaging with active listening, humility, and gratitude for genuine connections – EXP 201
David Dawson II, M.Ed., MS
This session seeks to provide an alternative approach to developing professional connections. Attendees will consider their communication style, practice techniques, and leave with tangible relationship building skills.
🌈 Flagging in Graduate Education: A Panel of Students and Recent Alumni – ISEC 140 & 142
JoJo Jacobson, Ed.D., Will Cribby, M.Ed., Megan Massaro, M.Ed., & KF Flynn, M.Ed.
Recent political developments made certain terminology dangerous while making representation and community more important than ever. This is a panel on LGBTQIA+ education professionals’ experiences, followed by Q and A.
Going Public: Leading for Equity in Polarized Times – A Case Study Discussion – EXP 203
Annine Crystal, Ed.D.
Join us for a lively discussion as we will navigate the high-stakes dilemma facing Superintendent Peter Scott: Should he boldly champion equity initiatives despite fierce community backlash, or strategically stay silent to protect students and staff while advancing change quietly?
Fostering Social Connections: Strategies & Tips for Online Learning – EXP 204
Heather Dague, MAT, M.Ed., MPA, Danielle Johansen, MAT, & Brynn Borer, MS-OT
This session focuses on building social connections in online learning, addressing challenges like time zones and schedules, and offering strategies like joining discussion boards, creating meetups, and engaging with faculty and peers.
RISE in Practice: Transforming Leadership Through Storytelling, Positionality, and Collective Care – ISEC 138
Stefany Breton, Ed.D.
This workshop builds upon the keynote, “Turning the Ropes: Storytelling and Positionality as Praxis in Scholar-Activist Research,” and translates its core themes into tangible practices for leadership development. Drawing from my action research with Black women K–12 leaders, participants will explore the RISE framework—Radical Healing, Intersectional Leadership, Sisterhood Networks, and Empowerment—as a tool for fostering more equitable, humanizing, and sustainable models of leadership. I’ll briefly share how the RISE framework emerged through participant storytelling and lived experiences, and how I used Double Dutch Methodology to remain both a co-creator and witness in the research process. Together, we’ll reflect on our positionality and apply the RISE framework to practical case scenarios. Whether you’re a scholar, educator, policy advocate, or student, this workshop will offer a generative space to reimagine leadership through care, justice, and community.
| 11:10am – 12:00pm | Program breakout sessions | ISEC and EXP classrooms, see below |
EdD – Coursework/pre-IRB – ISEC Auditorium
Chris Unger, Ed.D.
Attendees in this session will interact through discussion, question and answer to share strategies for navigating coursework Pre-IRB. We’ll discuss how the introductory courses (F1, F2, R1, R2), concentration and electives prepare scholar-practitioners to think about their problems of practice and future dissertation work.
EdD – Cycle 1 – ISEC 140 & 142
Melissa Parenti, Ed.D.
The Cycle 1 Workshop Session focuses on the importance of data collection and analysis and examines the roles of Instructors and chairs.
EdD – Cycle 2 – ISEC 136
Dan Serig, Ed.D.
The Cycle 2 Workshop Session focuses on everything you need to know to be successful in Cycle 2 data collection and sucessfully defending your DiP.
EdD – Stage Model – ISEC 138
Andy Anderson, Ed.D.
The Stage Model Session focuses on students who enrolled in the program prior to Fall 2018. Benchmarks and progression will be discussed as well as ensuring you are set up for success going forward.
| 12:00pm – 2:00pm | Lunch on your own | Check out local recommendations here |
1:30pm – 2:00 pm – A Mindful Moment with Sagar Rajpal – ISEC 138
Embark on a serene journey within, guided by Northeastern’s Spiritual Advisor for Mindfulness and Wellness. Cushions provided.
2:00pm – 2:50 pm – A Conversation with GSE Leadership – ISEC Auditorium
Join the Graduate School of Education (GSE) leadership for a timely conversation about the current higher education landscape and GSE’s strategic direction. The session includes a 45-minute discussion followed by 15 minutes of audience Q&A. Bring your questions and join the dialogue on shaping the future of education.
| 3:00pm – 3:50pm | Concurrent breakout sessions | ISEC and EXP classrooms, see list below |
Panel: Generative AI Across Education: pK-12 Education, Higher Education, and the Workplace AI Event (prospective, alumni + current student event) – ISEC 140 & 142
More information here
This panel will be an engaging discussion on how Generative AI is transforming learning across the spectrum—from pK-12 education to higher education and the workplace. Panelists will explore the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in AI-driven learning.
Transferable Skills for EdDs – ISEC Auditorium
Pat Leomi, Assistant Director – Career Services
As an EdD student, you are developing a variety of transferable skills that employers across industries value. Whether you hope to grow within your current organization or change career paths completely, knowing how to identify your transferable skills will help you move forward in your professional goals. This workshop will help you understand what transferable skills are, how to recognize your transferable skills, and how to tell the story of your skills when networking and applying to jobs.
Reclaiming Clarity: Teaching Mental Resilience Through the Inside-Out Understanding – EXP 201
Wendy Williams, RN, M.Ed.
An evidence-informed framework for educators and leaders to reduce stress, clarify decision-making, and foster well-being by understanding the mind’s built-in capacity for resilience and insight.
Action Research Driving Equity: Analyzing Social Justice Frameworks in EdD Dissertations – EXP 202
Noor Ali, Ed.D., Joe McNabb, Ph.D., & Melissa Parenti, Ed.D.
This session examines how dissertations from Northeastern University’s EdD program, are situated in preparing scholar practitioners to use Action Research in addressing social justice issues in educational settings.
Advising Open Office Hours – ISEC 138
Advising Team
GSE Academic Advising team members will be available during residency to meet in-person with students to answer questions. Students who are not completing their doctoral degree by Summer 2026, will have the opportunity to meet in-person with a GSE Academic Advising team member to discuss their quarter to semester hours transition plan. It would be helpful for students to complete a transition plan prior to the meeting following the directions in the Doctoral Student Resource Center.
Faculty Chats – ISEC Atrium
Faculty
Do you have specific questions that you were not able to get answered during other sessions? This is an open time where you can drop in with a question for our faculty
When Things Don’t Go as Planned: Navigating Challenges and Pivots in the Dissertation Process with School-Based Stakeholders – EXP 310
Dana Hill, Ed.D. & Michelle John, Ed.D.
This session will equip researchers with strategies to navigate unexpected challenges with school-based stakeholders, adapt research designs mid-process, manage timing shifts, and sustain progress in both in-person and virtual contexts.
Incorporating AI into the Literature Review: Scite vs. Scopus AI – ISEC 136
Lindley Homol, M.Ed., Head Librarian, Global Campus Outreach and Online Learning
This session will present a quick overview of two different AI tools–Scite and Scopus AI–that can be used in your literature research, including some guidance about what purposes each tool is best suited for. Then participants will have an opportunity to test drive these tools in real-time, troubleshooting barriers and brainstorming ways to apply these tools to your individual research projects.
Scholarship in Sisterhood: Reimagining Mentorship and Collective Care for Black Women in Doctoral Programs – EXP 203
Stefany Breton, Ed.D. & Ashley Porter, Ed.D.
This session explores actionable strategies for creating inclusive doctoral environments that affirm, support, and advance Black women scholars through culturally responsive mentorship, community-building, and institutional accountability.
Taking Care of Self and Others: A Mindfulness 101 Workshop – EXP 204
Sagar Rajpal
Join this experiential workshop to receive Mindfulness 101 training, build stress management tools, enhance self-care, and learn about holistic wellness resources at Northeastern University.
| 4:00pm – 4:50pm | Concurrent breakout sessions | ISEC and EXP classrooms, see list below |
Facilitated Networking Conversations: Generative AI Across Education: pK-12 Education, Higher Education, and the Workplace
AI Event – Breakouts will split between ISEC 136, ISEC 138, and ISEC 140 & 142
TBD
A continuation from the panel hosted at the 3pm breakout session block. Connect with students, faculty, industry professionals, and alumni in small-group discussions focused on AI’s impact in education across the spectrum.
Utilizing the skills and knowledge of your EdD (Panel) – EXP 202
Shaunna Harrington, Ph.D., Melody Su, M.Ed., Rachel Deleveaux, Ed.D., Matt Ezzo, Ed.D.
This session is geared towards students hoping to learn more about how current and past EdD students have utilized the knowledge and skills learned in the program to further their career and lives. Panelists will discuss entrepeneurship, publishing, and the impact of their research on their research site.
Final Defense preparation and examples (Panel) – EXP 204
Noor Ali, Ed.D., Mark Tarallo, Ed.D., Amy Casi, Ed.D., Heather Craigie, Fatima Koura, Ed.D.
Attendees in this session will join recent graduates as they describe the lessons that they learned while preparing for their final defense. They will share their experience leading up to the final defense, writing the final DiP, and advice for those getting close to their defense. This session is ideal for students in 8760.
What I wished I knew (Panel) – ISEC Auditorium
Wendy Crocker, Ph.D., Michele Campbell, Ed.D., Kristine Jamieson, Ed.D., Dixie Douville, Ed.D., Jennine Tambio, Ed.D.
Attendees in this session will join recent graduates as they describe the lessons that they learned on the journey to their doctorate. These successful alum will reflect on the process of moving from student to researcher, the importance of community, and how to take control of your learning. This session is ideal for students prior to R4.
| 4:50pm – 6:15pm | Poster Session, Cocktail Reception, & Closing | ISEC Atrium |
| Angela Tuero | Building Intrinsic Motivation Through Choice-Based Learning |
| Heather Dague | Beyond Compliance: Reframing the American Special Education Experience |
| James Anderson | Student Engagement through Personalized Learning in Urban High Schools |
| Heather Craigie | Critical Consciousness Development in Community-Engaged Student Leaders |
| JoAnne Spagnuolo | Building Social-Emotional Learning Awareness and Sustainable Supports Through Teacher Collaboration |
| Ei Ei Kyaw | Empowering Educators: Strategies for Inclusive Practices for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Integrated Co-Teaching Classrooms |
| Locksley Knibbs | What colleges want: A qualitative study of the traits and credentials sought in University Presidential candidates |
| Kristine Jamieson | The Role of Structures Impacting Impostor Phenomenon (IP) in Higher Education |
| Michele Campbell | How can arts- and culture-based organizations address the underrepresentation of women in top leadership positions? |
| Brynn Borer | Impact of community and resource on well-being of graduate occupational therapy students |
| Natalie Starr | Effective AI Adoption in Organizations |
| Melody Su | Building AI Capacity in SME Educational Organizations |
*Please note that times/sessions may change.
Graduate School of Education Residency Day 2
Saturday, July 26, 2025 (9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Check-in, breakfast, and the welcome will all take place in the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (ISEC) located at 805 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02120 starting at 8:00am.
| 8:00am – 8:45am | Breakfast | ISEC Atrium, see below |
Optional GSERA Breakfast – ISEC Atrium
GSERA Executive Board
Come learn more about GSERA, the ways the organization can benefit you as a student, and how you can get involved. Continental breakfast will be served.
| 9:00am – 9:30am | Day 2 kick off opening session | ISEC Auditorium, see below |
Generative AI in the EdD Program: Progress, Possibilities, and Principles – ISEC Auditorium
Joan Giblin, Ph.D.
In this 30-minute session, faculty will provide an update on integrating generative AI into the EdD program. Grounded in our commitment to ethical scholarship and scholar-practitioner development, we’ll share progress on AI-enhanced curriculum development, faculty training, and student support resources. Attendees will learn how generative AI is integrated into common and concentration courses to support literature reviews, scholarly writing, and action research, all while reinforcing responsible use aligned with program learning outcomes. We will also review our program’s AI statement and NU’s AI policies on ethical use in coursework, including appropriate and inappropriate applications and the importance of maintaining academic integrity and intellectual ownership. The session will conclude with opportunities for Q&A and student feedback as we continue building a thoughtful, student-centered AI integration strategy across the program.
| 9:40 am – 10:30 am | Research Methods Breakout Sessions | ISEC and EXP classrooms, see list below |
Evaluating your Action Step – ISEC 136
Mike Dean, Ph.D.
This hands-on session explores the integration of program evaluation within action research. Participants will engage in practical exercises building out an evaluation plan which aligns with their problem of practice and action step goals and activities. This session is applicable to anyone interested in evaluation, and ideal for those who have completed cycle 1.
Creating your Action Step & Stakeholder Engagement – ISEC Auditorium
Chris Unger, Ed.D. & Andy Anderson, Ed.D.
As you look to designing your Action Steps for Cycle 2 of your DiP, how do you engage internal and external stakeholders as well as how you do so with your future aspirations in mind?
Enhancing Literature Reviews with AI: Tools and Strategies – EXP 201
Michael Jones, MBA, Heather Leonardo, MA, & Joe McNabb, Ph.D. (faculty moderator)
This workshop explores how AI tools can streamline literature reviews. We will present practical strategies for using AI to search, analyze, and synthesize research, along with tips for critical evaluation and saturation.
Research Help: Observations, Field Notes, and Analytic Memos – EXP 202
Karen Smith, Ph.D.
This session navigates how to effectively conduct research observations and write meaningful field notes and analytic memos essential to building rigorous and reflective qualitative research.
Qualitative Data Analysis and Coding- Introduction to the Process – ISEC 140 & 142
Dan Serig, Ed.D.
This session will focus on tips and strategies for navigating the qualitative data analysis process. During the session, we’ll review the coding process. We’ll also allow time for Q&A for those who have specific questions.
Getting Hands-on with Manual Coding – ISEC 138
Michele Campbell, Ed.D., Kristine Jamieson, Ed.D., Heidi Cheerman, Ed.D., & Wendy Crocker, Ph.D.
This session will move participants from “thinking about” coding to manually engaging with data. Recent alumni will illustrate their practices using examples from their research. Participants will practice manual coding and then discuss how to describe their process as a researcher.
Relationship Building: Communication between dissertation students and chair throughout dissertation process – EXP 203
Cherese Childers-McKee, Ph.D.
In this session we will look at the role of the dissertation chair in collaboration with the role of instructors and the dissertation student. The session will cover the cycles of research and how each role varies across time.
Interview/Focus Groups – EXP 204
Annine Crystal, Ed.D.
We will explore the pros and cons of engaging stakeholders in interviews or focus groups.
| 10:40 am – 11:30 am | Research Methods Breakout Sessions – repeated | ISEC and EXP classrooms, see list below |
Evaluating your Action Step – ISEC 136
Mike Dean, Ph.D.
This hands-on session explores the integration of program evaluation within action research. Participants will engage in practical exercises building out an evaluation plan which aligns with their problem of practice and action step goals and activities. This session is applicable to anyone interested in evaluation, and ideal for those who have completed cycle 1.
Creating your Action Step & Stakeholder Engagement – ISEC Auditorium
Chris Unger, Ed.D. & Andy Anderson, Ed.D.
As you look to designing your Action Steps for Cycle 2 of your DiP, how do you engage internal and external stakeholders as well as how you do so with your future aspirations in mind?
Enhancing Literature Reviews with AI: Tools and Strategies – EXP 201
Michael Jones, MBA, Heather Leonardo, MA, & Joe McNabb, Ph.D. (faculty moderator)
This workshop explores how AI tools can streamline literature reviews. We will present practical strategies for using AI to search, analyze, and synthesize research, along with tips for critical evaluation and saturation.
Research Help: Analytic Memos and Observations – EXP 202
Karen Smith, Ph.D.
High quality qualitative data is all around us, if we know what to look for, how to record that data, and how to create meaning from that data.
Qualitative Data Analysis and Coding- Introduction to the Process – ISEC 140 & 142
Dan Serig, Ed.D.
This session will focus on tips and strategies for navigating the qualitative data analysis process. During the session, we’ll review the coding process. We’ll also allow time for Q&A for those who have specific questions.
Getting Hands-on with Manual Coding – ISEC 138
Michele Campbell, Ed.D., Kristine Jamieson, Ed.D., Heidi Cheerman, Ed.D., & Wendy Crocker, Ph.D.
This session will move participants from “thinking about” coding to manually engaging with data. Recent alumni will illustrate their practices using examples from their research. Participants will practice manual coding and then discuss how to describe their process as a researcher.
Relationship Building: Communication between dissertation students and chair throughout dissertation process – EXP 203
Cherese Childers-McKee, Ph.D.
In this session we will look at the role of the dissertation chair in collaboration with the role of instructors and the dissertation student. The session will cover the cycles of research and how each role varies across time.
Interview/Focus Groups – EXP 204
Annine Crystal, Ed.D. & Jenay Sermon, Ph.D.
We will explore the pros and cons of engaging stakeholders in interviews or focus groups.
| 11:40am – 12:30pm | Interest Area breakout sessions | ISEC and EXP classrooms, see below |
Students leading change work in organizations – ISEC 136
Chuck Kilfoye, Ed.D.
This set of breakout sessions allows you to connect with other students and faculty that are doing change work in the same space as you. You will discuss how the topic is shaping your area. Please choose a session that best applies to where you are leading change work.
Integrative studies breakout (change agents across disciplines) – EXP 202
Chris Unger, Ed.D.
This set of breakout sessions allows you to connect with other students and faculty that are doing change work in the same space as you. You will discuss how the topic is shaping your area. Please choose a session that best applies to where you are leading change work.
Students leading change work in PK-12 – ISEC 140 & 142
Annine Crystal, Ed.D. & Noor Ali, Ed.D.
This set of breakout sessions allows you to connect with other students and faculty that are doing change work in the same space as you. You will discuss how the topic is shaping your area. Please choose a session that best applies to where you are leading change work.
Students leading change work in Higher Education [Administration] – EXP 204
Joe McNabb, Ph.D.
This set of breakout sessions allows you to connect with other students and faculty that are doing change work in the same space as you. You will discuss how the topic is shaping your area. Please choose a session that best applies to where you are leading change work.
| 12:00pm – 2:00pm | Lunch provided | ISEC Atrium |
| 1:00pm – 2:00pm | Optional campus tour | Leaving from ISEC |
1:30pm – 2:00 pm – A Mindful Moment with Sagar Rajpal – ISEC 138
Sagar Rajpal
Embark on a serene journey within, guided by Northeastern’s Spiritual Advisor for Mindfulness and Wellness. Cushions provided.
| 2:00pm – 2:50 pm | Research Methods Breakout Sessions | ISEC and EXP classrooms, see below |
Writing the Final DiP & Preparing for your final defense – ISEC 136
Joan Giblin, Ph.D.
This session will help students as they write their final DiP and prepare for their final defense. This will cover what the final defense entails and tips for being prepared for when the time comes.
IRB – EXP 310
Anita Balgopal, Ph.D. & Cherese Childers-McKee, Ph.D. (faculty moderator)
Understanding and following IRB policies and procedures is crucial to your success as a researcher to ensure the protection of human subjects of research. This session will discuss the requirements for submitting IRB documentation, best practices for submitting, and allow time for an open Q&A.
Advising Open Office Hours – ISEC 138
Advising Team
GSE Academic Advising team members will be available during residency to meet in-person with students to answer questions. Students who are not completing their doctoral degree by Summer 2026 will have the opportunity to meet in-person with a GSE Academic Advising team member to discuss their quarter to semester hours transition plan. It would be helpful for students to complete a transition plan prior to the meeting following the directions in the Doctoral Student Resource Center.
Faculty Chats – ISEC Atrium
Advising Team
Do you have specific questions that you were not able to get answered during other sessions? This is an open time where you can drop in with a question for faculty.
Survey Design – EXP 202
Mike Dean, Ph.D.
This session will cover survey design and analysis for those interested in conducting a survey.
Critical Reflection – EXP 203
Shaunna Harrington, Ph.D.
This session reviews the role of reflexivity in the action research process and its alignment to and expectations for the final DiP Critical Reflection document.
Dissertation Writing: Developing your Proposal – ISEC 140 & 142
Joe McNabb, Ph.D. & Karen Smith, Ph.D.
This session provides guidance to students preparing their dissertation proposal and presents information within action research cycles to bridge proposal to the dissertation phase of the Doctor of Education program.
Coding with Software – EXP 204
Chuck Kilfoye, Ed.D., Heather Dague, Maggie Hunter
Come hear a facilitated panel on how current and past students have utilized various technologies when coding or conducting their research.
The Literature Review – EXP 201
Melissa Parenti, Ed.D.
Are you struggling to write your literature review? Come to this session to learn more about how to best synthesize literature and create a cohesive review.
| 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm | Research Methods Breakout Sessions – Repeated | ISEC and EXP classrooms, see list below |
Writing the Final DiP & Preparing for your final defense – ISEC 136
Joan Giblin, Ph.D.
This session will help students as they write their final DiP and prepare for their final defense. This will cover what the final defense entails and tips for being prepared for when the time comes.
IRB – EXP 310
Anita Balgopal, Ph.D. & Cherese Childers-McKee, Ph.D. (faculty moderator)
Understanding and following IRB policies and procedures is crucial to your success as a researcher to ensure the protection of human subjects of research. This session will discuss the requirements for submitting IRB documentation, best practices for submitting, and allow time for an open Q&A.
Advising Open Office Hours – ISEC 138
Advising Team
GSE Academic Advising team members will be available during residency to meet in-person with students to answer questions. Students who are not completing their doctoral degree by Summer 2026 will have the opportunity to meet in-person with a GSE Academic Advising team member to discuss their quarter to semester hours transition plan. It would be helpful for students to complete a transition plan prior to the meeting following the directions in the Doctoral Student Resource Center.
Faculty Chats – ISEC Atrium
Advising Team
Do you have specific questions that you were not able to get answered during other sessions? This is an open time where you can drop in with a question for faculty.
Survey Design – EXP 202
Mike Dean, Ph.D.
This session will cover survey design and analysis for those interested in conducting a survey.
Critical Reflection – EXP 203
Shaunna Harrington, Ph.D.
This session reviews the role of reflexivity in the action research process and its alignment to and expectations for the final DiP Critical Reflection document.
Dissertation Writing: Developing your Proposal – ISEC 140 & 142
Joe McNabb, Ph.D. & Karen Smith, Ph.D.
This session provides guidance to students preparing their dissertation proposal and presents information within action research cycles to bridge proposal to the dissertation phase of the Doctor of Education program.
Coding with Software – EXP 204
Chuck Kilfoye, Ed.D., Heather Dague, Maggie Hunter
Come hear a facilitated panel on how current and past students have utilized various technologies when coding or conducting their research.
The Literature Review – EXP 201
Jenay Sermon, Ph.D. & Melissa Parenti, Ed.D.
Are you struggling to write your literature review? Come to this session to learn more about how to best synthesize literature and create a cohesive review.
| 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Closing | ISEC Auditorium |
| 4:30 pm | GSERA Happy Hour/Social | Two Saints Tavern |
*Please note that this schedule will continue to be updated as we get closer to the event. Please note that times/sessions may change.
Post-Residency Event – Doctoral Writing Bootcamp (Optional)
Sunday, July 27, 2025 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
The GSE Boston Residency Doctoral Writing Bootcamp will be a structured day-long workshop designed to support doctoral students in advancing their writing through targeted skill-building and guided practice. Tailored to the needs of GSE EdD students, this bootcamp equips participants with essential strategies for academic writing, literature review development, research organization, and time management. Through a combination of facilitated conversations, hands-on exercises, and peer collaboration, this immersive experience will empower doctoral students to make meaningful progress on their writing in a supportive and focused environment. The day will be structured into three sections, with a break for lunch (on your own), and ample time for building relationships with a community of writers. There is no cost to attend this event other than your travel to/from campus and lunch that is on your own.
You do not have to attend residency to attend the optional Writing Bootcamp.
This event requires a separate registration. To RSVP, click here.
