Ken Mitchell

Dr. Ken Mitchell, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, joined the Manhattanville faculty in 2015.  He teaches doctoral level and leadership courses and supervises students conducting dissertation research.  In addition to his work at the University, Mitchell serves as the Executive Director of the Chief School Officials – the organization representing school superintendents in Southern Westchester.  Mitchell has also provided consultation to school and district leaders and worked with School Leadership, LLC on leadership recruitment in over 25 districts in the Hudson Valley since 2015. 
 

Professor Mitchell also serves as the lead editor of the American Association of School Administrators’ Journal of Scholarship & Practice. He has shared his professional experiences and expertise by authoring over 20 articles and speaking at numerous conferences at the regional, state, and national levels.   
 

Since 1976, Mitchell has served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and superintendent of schools. After teaching high school and middle school English for thirteen years, he embarked on a 15 year career as a building principal that included the planning and opening of the Seven Bridges School in Chappaqua.  Mitchell then moved into the role of assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Bedford after which he became the superintendent of the South Orangetown Central Schools.  
 

While always engaged in the work of enhancing the craft of teaching and leading schools and districts, Ken’s career has been marked by a pattern of advocacy. He has testified before the NY State Senate, the Board of Regents, and served in leadership roles at SAANYS, NYSCOSS, NYSMSA, and the LHCOSS. He has provided education policy advice to Congressman Jamaal Bowman. 
 

Dr. Mitchell's research interests include school reform initiatives (e.g, accountability, policies, choice, evaluation systems); the superintendent; the principal; school boards; middle schools and young adolescents; technology initiatives; K-12 literacy (English and reading backgrounds); systemic change/strategic planning; professional learning designs; and other K-12 topics). His preferred methodologies include qualitative and mixed methods approaches.  Dr. Mitchell earned his doctorate from Fordham University; a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from SUNY New Paltz; and his Master of Science and Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Cortland.