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Five doctoral degrees in administration and leadership studies will be awarded during winter commencement exercises at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, December 17, at 8:45 a.m. in Koehler Fieldhouse. The doctoral candidates are Robert Dufour, Maureen Kehoe, Carolyn Krotowski, Melissa J. Brands Martinez, and William Vitulli.

Robert Dufour has been the Superintendent of Schools of the Eldred Central School District in Sullivan County, N.Y. since 2010. Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Bob has resided in Dingmans Ferry, Pa. since 1997. He has been married to his husband, Charles G. Macias, for 21 years. Bob worked in the private sector for 25 years prior to entering the field of education. He started as a substitute teacher in Eldred in 2002 and worked as a Special Education Teacher, CSE/CPSE Chairperson, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Director of Instructional Services and then Superintendent of Schools. He enjoys reading, golf and traveling.

Maureen Kehoe is currently the Director of Planning, Research, and Evaluation in the Phillipsburg School District. Maureen has worked in the district for 34 years beginning her career as a French and Spanish teacher at the high school. She was an assistant principal at both the high school and middle school in the district, and the elementary principal of grades 3, 4, and 5.  Maureen resides in Nazareth, Pa. Her greatest inspiration in attaining her doctorate was her son Derek.

Carolyn Krotowski is a principal at the Colonial Academy in Wind Gap, Pa. Carolyn has been in public education for 20 years, serving as a Health and Physical Education teacher, Track and Field coach and as an assistant principal before assuming the title of principal at Colonial Academy. Carolyn wrote her dissertation on “College Professors’ Perceptions of Student Veterans’ Academic and Social Attributes in the Classroom.” Originally from Cedar Run, N.J., Carolyn received her bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from East Stroudsburg University in 1992 and her master’s in education administration and leadership in 2001. Carolyn and her husband, John, reside in Jackson Township with their son, Zackry and daughter, Jaycee.

Melissa J. Brands Martinez has worked as an educator for the past 15 years. She currently teaches French and is also a certified reading specialist. She is employed by the Bangor Area School District and has taught in both the middle school and high school. Prior to beginning her teaching career, Melissa worked in New York as a legal assistant. Melissa resides in Mount Bethel with her husband, Mark. She has two children, Keith and Emily Perrotta and two step-children, Sara and Brandon Martinez. Family pets include dogs Marcel and Sunny and a cat, Chanel.

William L. Vitulli is currently employed by the East Stroudsburg Area School District as a district elementary principal, the district’s cyber school principal, and coordinator of professional development for elementary grades. He has been a long time resident of East Stroudsburg, a graduate of East Stroudsburg High School, and former local business owner for almost 20 years. He and his wife, Lisa, have five children between them, one of which is an East Stroudsburg University graduate as well. William has a bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University in business administration, a master’s degree from Bloomsburg University in business education, and a master’s degree from East Stroudsburg University in educational leadership. As a doctoral candidate, William’s research interests lie within the areas of students at risk, and the growth and development of online learning.

About the Doctoral Program in Education Administration and Leadership

The Professional and Secondary Education Department at ESU developed the idea for the collaborative doctoral degree program with Indiana University in 1999. The collaborative delivery program provides accessibility to the program for students who live in proximity to East Stroudsburg and northeast Pennsylvania.

The three-year academic package is designed to provide continuous skill development in leadership, writing, reading and research. The program is intended for leaders in education wishing to further their knowledge, skills and expertise in the area of educational leadership.

For more information about the doctoral program, including applying for admission/acceptance, contact Dr. William Bajor, director of graduate and extended studies at 570-422-3588 or wbajor@esu.edu or Kevin Quintero, graduate admissions coordinator at 570-422-3890 or kquintero@esu.edu.