Catholic Leadership Cohort

The Catholic Leadership Cohort (CLC) enables Catholic educators to enroll in the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Policy offered through the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College.

Program Features

Led by experienced faculty

Four retreat opportunities

Learn social justice and leadership strategies

20 months, 30 credits

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teacher and student

Program Details

Over the course of 20 months, CLC members complete 30 credits, all of which are taught by faculty who have research specialization and lived experience leading schools. Twelve credits are taken as a cohort focused on leadership in Catholic education, while the remaining courses are taken with leaders from public and charter schools to provide opportunities for conversation in diverse settings.Ìý

Online coursework trains candidates in critical inquiry and the use of evidence, how to approach student development from a holistic perspective, and how to engage the community to support the whole child. Drawing on Jesuit traditions, coursework informs organizational cultures and processes by drawing on social justice values and leadership strategies to improve equitable opportunities for traditionally marginalized students.

With an emphasis on discernment, prayer, and critical reflection, candidates also participate in a formation series, which includes two annual retreats, an option for spiritual direction inspired by St. Ignatius, and the opportunity to participate in a community of practice facilitated by national experts in Catholic education.

Lead Faculty

Andrew Miller, Ph.D.

Andrew Miller, Ph.D.

Andrew Miller, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Educational Leadership and Higher Education department of md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College's Lynch School of Education and Human Development. He teaches graduate electives in the M.Ed. program focused on ethics and equity frameworks and transforming the field of Catholic education. In addition, he teaches courses in the Ed.D. program with other core faculty members in the School's Professional School Administrator Program. Miller's research and teaching focus on the ways Catholic schools and Catholic school leaders, inspired by Catholic social teaching, provide a transformative and socially just education for the students who attend America's Catholic schools. From his early career teaching at St. George Catholic School in Fort Worth, Tex., to his time working as director of academics at the Archdiocese of md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç Catholic Schools Office, Miller has been committed to enhancing the quality of teaching, learning, and leadership in Catholic schools. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Notre Dame and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College.

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Martin Scanlan, Ph.D.

Martin Scanlan, Ph.D.

Martin Scanlan, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College. Before joining the academy, Scanlan spent more than 10 years as a teacher and administrator.Ìý He primarily worked in urban settings, in schools serving traditionally marginalized students in Washington, D.C., Berkeley, Calif., and Madison, Wis. This laid a foundation for his teaching and scholarship interests, which focus on how schools can be organized to more effectively welcome all. Scanlan’s research primarily focuses on the organizational routines and practices of adults in schools, including the policies and procedures that shape these. While attending to multiple dimensions of diversity, his work has looked most carefully at how schools across sectors - including Catholic schools and public schools – can better serve students who have diverse cultural and linguistic heritages, as well as students with special needs. Scanlan has an extensive record of scholarship in academic journals reporting this work. He earned a bachelor's degree from Catholic University of America, a master's degree from Trinity College, and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.Ìý


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Melodie Wyttenbach, Ph.D.

Melodie Wyttenbach, Ph.D.

Melodie is the executive director of the Roche Center for Catholic Education and faculty member for the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College. Prior to coming to md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College, Melodie served as an assistant professor and academic director of the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program for the Alliance for Catholic Education at the University of Notre Dame. She also has served as president of Nativity Jesuit Academy in Milwaukee, WI and director of mission effectiveness for the NativityMiguel Network of Schools in Washington, DC. Melodie current researchÌýand scholarship focuses on urban Catholic education, system-level leadership, effective governance practices, character formation across networks of schools, and the intersection of immigration and education. Her published work includesÌýCultivating Talent: Examining Pathways to Increase the Presence of Hispanic Teachers and Leaders in Catholic Schools (2022),ÌýSeven Steps to Strategic Planning for Catholic School LeadersÌý(2020), andÌýResponding to the Call for Educational Justice: Transformative Catholic-Led Initiatives in Urban EducationÌý(2018).ÌýMelodie has a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and master's degrees in educational administration from Marquette University and education from Mount Mary College.


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Molly McMahon, Ph.D.

Molly McMahon, Ph.D.

Molly has served as both an elementary and middle school educator, along with holding several teacher-leader positions in the Catholic Schools she served. She was an assistant principal and principal for the last 12 years. Most recently, she served as principal for nine years in the Chelmsford Public Schools, in Massachusetts, where she was instrumental in facilitating Social Emotional Learning (SEL) effectively across all elementary schools and where she helped to research, build and implement a Social-Emotional Behavioral Therapeutic Program for the district. Molly completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership at md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College, where she also served as a clinical supervisor of student teachers while completing her degree and an administrative internship in the md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç Public Schools. Her dissertation was in urban parent engagement. Her passions include the impact of leadership on school communities and the importance of social emotional learning for positive school climate and overall well-being of students. Molly is the Director of Leadership Programs for the Roche Center for Catholic Education at md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College and leads the SEL Academy for schools interested in implementing social and emotional learning practices as a whole school.


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Elena Sada

Michael O'Connor, Ph.D.

Michael joins the Roche Center drawing upon his previous work as a middle school educator, instructional coach, professional learning consultant, teacher educator, researcher, and policymakerÌýacross Catholic and public education settings. Most recently, he was the Coordinator of Educator Pipelines, Preparation, and Certification with the Rhode Island Department of Education. He has experience with multiple programs in the University Consortium for Catholic Education (UCCE), including as a Teaching Fellow with the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) at the University of Notre Dame, the founding Assistant Director of Programs with the Alliance for Catholic Education at Saint Joseph's University (ACESJU), an Instructional Coach with the Urban Catholic Teacher Corps (UCTC) at md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College, and the Director of the Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers (PACT) at Providence College. Michael earned his doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Language, Literacy, and Culture from the Lynch School at md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College. He is a Coyle Research Fellow with the University of Notre Dame's Center for Literacy Education and pursues research interests in educator collaboration and writing and literacies. His published work includesÌýCollaborative Professionalism:Ìý When Teaching Together Means Learning for All, co-authored with Dr. Andy Hargreaves (2018).


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John Reyes

John Reyes, Ed.D.

Prior to joining the Roche Center, John served as executive director of Operational Vitality for the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), where he oversaw the organization's programs related to communications, marketing, budgeting and finance, technology management, and digital learning and discipleship. He also served as the assistant superintendent for academic excellence and budget supervision for the 32 Catholic schools in the state of South Carolina. John has a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California.


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Leadership Coaches

Louis De Angelo, Ed.D.
Louis De Angelo, Ed.D.
Leadership Coach
Catholic Leadership Cohort (CLC)
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Louis De Angelo, Ed.D.

Louis De Angelo, Ed.D.

Leadership Coach

Catholic Leadership Cohort (CLC)

Louis is Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of Education for the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware. Before assuming this role in 2012, he served as assistant superintendent in the diocese, and also as director of curriculum PreK-12 and professional development for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He has served as principal and teacher for several Catholic schools in Pennsylvania and as a professor at Neumann University and Chestnut Hill College. In every role, Louis sees his ministry in Catholic education as both an invitation and gift as he journeys with others and encounters Jesus Christ. Louis has a doctorate in educational leadership from Immaculata University.

Marc Martinez, Ed.D.
Marc Martinez, Ed.D.
Leadership Coach
Catholic Leadership Cohort (CLC)
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Marc Martinez, Ed.D.

Marc Martinez, Ed.D.

Leadership Coach

Catholic Leadership Cohort (CLC)

Marc Martinez is the founding principal of St. Peter’s Catholic: A Career and Technical High School, in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, where he will open the school in the fall of 2023. Prior to being named founding principal, Marc served as Dean of Academics at St. Pius X High School in Houston, TX, and before that, he was the principal at O’Connell College Prep in Galveston, TX and of True Cross Catholic School in Dickinson, TX. Marc began his educational career as a 2nd grade teacher, and has taught 4th grade, 5th to 8th grade Math, 7th & 8th grade religion, and has coached baseball and volleyball, while also serving as athletic director. In every role, Marc sees his ministry in Catholic education as a vocation and an opportunity to serve God and others. Marc has earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Saint Louis University, a master’s in private school administration from the University of St. Thomas, and a bachelor’s in business administration from St. Edward’s University.

Melanie Palmisano, Ph.D.
Melanie Palmisano, Ph.D.
Leadership Coach
Catholic Leadership Cohort (CLC)
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Melanie Palmisano, Ph.D.

Melanie Palmisano, Ph.D.

Leadership Coach

Catholic Leadership Cohort (CLC)

Dr. Melanie Palmisano has extensive service to Catholic schools as a teacher and administrator on the elementary, middle, high school levels as well as the university undergraduate and doctoral levels. She recently retired from the Diocese of Baton Rouge after thirteen years in service as Superintendent of Schools and currently provides leadership coaching and school improvement consulting through Inspir-ED Consulting, LLC specializing in the areas of resilient leadership and school improvement. Dr. Mel earned a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of San Francisco, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Orleans, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Secondary Education from Loyola University of the South. Her publications include articles for NCEA’s Momentum and The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on accreditation and school improvement. Dr. Mel has provided presentations and workshops to schools, districts, and professional organizations on a wide variety of topics with the goal of providing support for educational improvement. Dr. Mel’s focus is to bring joy to the work of Catholic schools, and she is especially happy to share the journey as a coach to graduate students at md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College.

Lytia Reese
Lytia Reese
Leadership Coach
Catholic Leadership Cohort (CLC)
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Lytia Reese

Lytia Reese

Leadership Coach

Catholic Leadership Cohort (CLC)

Ms. Lytia Reese currently serves the ministry of Catholic education in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh as Superintendent of Schools, where she leads 28 Catholic early childhood, elementary and high schools. A product of Catholic schools K-college, Ms. Reese received her Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from Christian Brothers University and received her Master of Arts in Instructional and Curriculum Leadership from the University of Memphis. She has dedicated her vocation in education to serving under-resourced students and embodied the tradition of her Dominican roots by modeling her instruction and leadership around the four pillars of Dominican education: preaching; prayer; study; and community. A teacher for over 15 years, she spent much of her career serving students attending Title I schools. In 2012, she began her appointment as Principal in Jubilee schools in the Diocese of Memphis, which students who would not have been able to afford a Catholic education without significant financial assistance. She continued her service to under-resourced students in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston as the Assistant Superintendent of Urban Achievement. There, she oversaw and supported 13 schools whose primary mission was to serve students who could not afford a Catholic education. Prior to becoming an educator, Ms. Reese worked in the financial sector as a manager at The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Memphis Branch. She discovered her love of teaching through her involvement with Junior Achievement where she taught financial literacy to middle-schoolers.

Patrick Slattery, Ph.D.
Patrick Slattery, Ph.D.
Leadership Coach
Catholic Leadership Cohort (CLC)
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Patrick Slattery, Ph.D.

Patrick Slattery, Ph.D.

Leadership Coach

Catholic Leadership Cohort (CLC)

Patrick is the Executive Director of the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools, a network of 13 schools in Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Kentucky, and Massachusetts. A liaison between the Xaverian Brothers and the schools’ leadership teams and boards, he assists schools in animating the mission of a Xaverian education while promoting strong governance at the board level. Previously, he served the Archdiocese of Omaha for 15 years as a K-8 principal, a high school president, and Superintendent of Schools. In his role as superintendent, Patrick restructured the staffing of the Catholic School Office and was a key team member in the Archdiocese’s Ignite the Faith Capital Campaign which raised $53 million for various needs throughout the archdiocese. The newly developed leadership team strategically invested a significant portion of these funds in Catholic education, leading to the highest Catholic school system enrollment gain in the country in the years following the program investments. Patrick has also held leadership roles in private, non-denominational schools in Maryland and Massachusetts. He earned his bachelors from the College of the Holy Cross, a master’s in educational administration from Harvard University, and his doctorate degree from Creighton University.