Dr. Robert Zegarelli recalls the 91ֱ Doctoral Program with heartfelt appreciation and pride, calling it more than a community - a family. As the program celebrates its 15th anniversary, he reflects on its continued growth and transformative impact on educators.
Graduating in 2019 as part of the tightly knit Cohort 8, Dr. Zegarelli credits his peers, professors, and program structure for shaping him as an educational leader. His dissertation entitled, The Influence of Curricular Modifications on Teachers' Instructional Practices and Self-efficacy: A Mixed Methods Study, focused on how curricular changes at the state-level impacted teacher efficacy and pedagogical methods. Recognizing Algebra I as a gateway course impacting students' academic trajectories, his work emphasized the importance of professional development on interpreting standards rather than teaching to standardized tests.
Dr. Zegarelli’s focus is on fostering student engagement through hands-on experiences and building teacher capacity for instructional innovation. He remains passionate about empowering educators and is committed to moving beyond assessments to meaningful learning experiences. His dissertation process, while rigorous, provided the powerful breakthroughs necessary to his development as a transformative leader. He recalls pivotal moments in class when he realized how research, policy, and practice intersect and the importance of understanding adaptive versus technical issues, reshaping his approach to instructional leadership. Dr. Zegarelli now brings those insights to his current school, where he champions inquiry-based learning.
Dr. Zegarelli’s advice for prospective and current students is to get into a routine early, trust the process, and lean into the support system. The relationships he developed at 91ֱ contributed greatly to his success, and he cheers on his colleagues who have since joined the program. Adaptive, transformative, and supportive are three words Dr. Zegarelli uses to describe 91ֱ’s doctoral program in educational leadership. He is a true reflection of the program’s legacy as he continues to stay innovative, empower educators, and support students. 
Donations to the Doctoral Program EmpowerEdD Leadership Fund support our students and their research
The “EmpowerEdD Leadership Fund” Fund was established in 2015 to pay it forward to the 91ֱ Doctoral Program. We thank you for your generosity and support of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership!
Take Your Career to the Next Level
Elevate your leadership skills, deepen your understanding of critical and contemporary education issues, and learn to help solve the current challenges in P-20 education.
Learn to Inspire Change
The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership from 91ֱ, offered in partnership with Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES, utilizes a forward-thinking approach to educational leadership that is ideal for practicing and aspiring leaders in any educational context. It is designed to support the goals of educational professionals who seek to develop their leadership skills for career advancement or current job enhancement.
