Center for the Study of the Future of Education Introduces Two New Directors

The Center for the Study of the Future of Education (CSFE) appointed two new co-directors, Corine Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. and Lisa Toscano, Ed.D., to replace Karen Nicholson, Ph.D., the Center’s founder, who was named dean of the School of Education and Health in June.

Fitzpatrick is founder and director of the Center for Optimal College Readiness at Manhattan College. Her professional experience includes positions as a former grade 7-12 educator, a counselor and a licensed psychologist. She came to Manhattan College in 1996, teaching pre-service teachers, until becoming the program director of the graduate counseling programs. She is a full professor and the current chair of the Graduate Department of Counseling, Leadership and Education.

Toscano is professor of kinesiology at Manhattan. Her area of expertise is athletic training and sports medicine with an emphasis on the prevention of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female athletes. Her research in the field of resiliency has been instrumental in preparing her students for postgraduate work and summer research. Prior to teaching at Manhattan College, she was the associate head athletic trainer in the College’s sports medicine department, a post she started in 1981.

Inspired by Manhattan College’s Lasallian mission, the Center for the Study of the Future of Education seeks to contribute to the discussion of key issues that impact education in the 21st century, specifically the impact that poverty has on education. The research on poverty crosses disciplinary lines as researchers examine the physical, social, emotional, psychological, and educational impact of growing up in poverty.

The Center’s goal is to begin to establish an understanding of poverty and the effect it can have on students and then to examine effective strategies for working with these students.