Karen Nicholson Named Dean of School of Education and Health
As an associate professor, Nicholson has helped the school thrive for more than two decades.
Longtime Manhattan College education professor Karen Nicholson, Ph.D., has been named dean of the College’s School of Education and Health.
Nicholson is the founder of the College’s Center for the Study of the Future of Education, which seeks to contribute to the academic discussion regarding key educational issues that impact teaching and learning in the 21st century. She also has led the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation reaccreditation process for the School of Education and Health after leading the successful Middle States accreditation process in 2012.
“We have great confidence in Karen’s ability to lead the School of Education and Health,” said William Clyde, Ph.D., executive vice and president and provost. “She is an accomplished and highly respected teacher who has served her department and school in a variety of administrative roles throughout the years. We deeply appreciate her willingness to take on this important fulltime administrative role.”
A member of the Manhattan College faculty since 1994, Nicholson has been honored as a Distinguished Lasallian Educator by her peers at the College and by the New York District. Prior to joining Manhattan College, Nicholson spent five years on the faculty of Penn State, Harrisburg, five years on the faculty of West Virginia Institute of Technology, and six years as an elementary school classroom teacher in Charleston, West Virginia.
Nicholson received a bachelor of science from West Virginia State college, a master of arts from West Virginia College of Graduate Studies and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University.
In addition to training early childhood, elementary, secondary, bilingual and special education teachers, the School of Education and Health prepares undergraduate students looking to break into careers in the following varied professions: athletic coaching, sports management, health care administration, human services, physical education, radiation therapy technology and nuclear medicine technology. The school also offers graduate programs in mental health and school counseling, alcohol and substance abuse counseling, school building leadership and special education.