Sharon J. White, Ed.D.
Columbia University
Ed.D. Higher Education/Student Personnel Administration, 1996
Dissertation Topic: Cultural Diversity and Group Perspectives:
A Study of Student Cultures.
University of Connecticut
M.A., Higher Education/Student Personnel Administration and Counseling
B.A., English Education
Connecticut Teaching Certification
Professional Experience:
Dr. Sharon J. White & Associates, LLC 2016 – present
Principal Consultant & Strategist
UCONN Stamford 1980 – 2015
Campus Director 2010 – 2015
- Provide leadership and strategic vision for the Stamford campus of the University of Connecticut.
- Oversee day to day operation of the Stamford Campus.
- Represent the campus and the larger University in all aspects of the greater community.
- Represent regional campus at Storrs, when appropriate.
- Build relationships with educational institutions, corporations, hospitals, and community based organizations in the community.
- Develop partnerships with K-12, community colleges, and Storrs Admissions to support recruitment efforts to admit high quality students for the campus.
- Provide leadership for faculty in collaboration and in partnership with Storrs’ department chairs and deans.
- Provide advocacy and support, as appropriate, for faculty throughout their PTR activities.
- Manage a management and professional staff.
- Chair Director’s Advisory Board with representation from all campus divisions.
- Oversee recruitment, hiring, and evaluation of adjunct faculty and professional staff.
- Work closely with development individuals to identify funding support for students and campus programs.
- Promote the campus through community partnerships, board involvement, and professional development activities.
- Oversee a multifaceted multi-million dollar operational budget.
Director of Student Services/Campus Dean 2006 – 2010
- Manage a diverse staff of 20 professionals at a highly diverse, regional commuter campus.
- As the second-in-command on campus, and in conjunction with appropriate departments at the main campus at Storrs, establish strategic goals and vision for student services including the campus’ Dean’s Office, Continuing Studies, Student Services, First Year Experience, Orientation, Advising & Counseling, Psychological Services, Student Activities, Academic Support Services, Disability Services, and Placement.
- Responsible for all hiring, evaluation, assessment, and strategic planning.
- Develop and administer a budget of over $1M.
- Work collaboratively with faculty to establish retention initiatives.
Associate Director for Student Life 2000 – 2006
Supervise a professional staff of 17 in the department of Student Life at a highly diverse, regional commuter campus. As part of the top management team on campus, participate in strategic planning initiatives in coordination with other Associate Directors and the Associate Vice Provost. Manage student services, student affairs, and Undergraduate Education functions including counseling, psychological services, First Year Experience, financial aid, orientation, placement, student activities and fitness, student conduct, academic probation and dismissals. As the first Associate Director for Student Life, hired and trained new staff in psychological services, disabled student services, academic advising, and academic services, to accommodate the expansion of the department.
Assistant Dean of Students 1987 – 2000
Coordinated all Dean of Students functions for a regional campus including counseling, conduct, academic probation and dismissals, disabled student services, tutorial services, placement, and judicial matters. Provided oversight for financial aid, career services, admissions, and academic advising. Supervised professional and support staff.
Coordinator, Center for Academic Programs 1980 – 1987
Coordinated programmatic development and management of a special services program for first generation and economically disadvantaged college students. Hired and supervised a staff of faculty and staff. Developed curriculum for the academic component of the program. Provided academic and personal counseling for students. Worked closely with the public and private sectors in the development of the program. Participated in proposal writing for grant funding. Operated a six-week summer component that prepared the student participants for successful entry into the fall freshmen class.
Norwalk Community College Norwalk, CT 2004 – 2011
English Instructor
Taught freshman composition and literature courses.
Emerson College, Boston, MA 1976 – 1979
Academic Counselor/Coordinator of Minority Student Affairs
Coordinated minority student programming and supervised the African-American Cultural Center staff and activities. Wrote budgets and grants. Served on the Presidents Task Force of trustees, faculty, and administrators to develop an institutional plan. Counseled probationary and provisional students, advised students on graduate school selection, planned freshman and transfer orientation, study abroad, and career programs.
Hampshire College, Amherst, MA 1975 – 1976
Assistant Director of Admissions
Recruited new students, interviewed prospective candidates, reviewed applications, made admissions decisions. Traveled extensively throughout the country, representing the college at high schools and college fairs.
University of Connecticut 1974 and 1975
English Instructor
Taught freshman writing courses.
Presentations and Publications:
Freshman Orientation: The Process of Inclusion. 10th Annual Conference on the Freshman Year Experience. Focus: Diversity. Long Beach, California. January 1991.
Black Student Retention: A Five Stage Model for Programs You Can Institute Next Year. 3rd. Annual Conference on Black Student Retention. Tampa, Florida. November 1987.
The University Experience Mini Course for Parents: A Triangular Model for Student Development Through a Parent Orientation Program. American College Student Personnel Association Conference. New Orleans, Louisiana. April 1986.
The First Generation College Student: A Prescription for Retention. The University of Maryland Student Affairs Conference. College Park, Maryland. February 1985.
The Pre-College Readiness and Enrichment Program: A Partnership Program Between The University of Connecticut/Stamford and Stamford High School. National Association for Educational Opportunity in Higher Education Conference. Washington, D.C. March 1984.
Living With Disaster. Essay. The New York Times. August 1983.
Related Experience:
Member: Downtown Special Services District. 2012 – present
Member: Stamford Chamber of Commerce. 2011 – 2016
Member: Stamford Partnership Board of Directors. 2010 – present
Member: Childcare Learning Centers Leadership Council. 2010 – present
Honorary Board Member: Stamford Historical Society. 2010 – 2014
Educational Consultant for TRIO Program sponsored by the Council for Opportunity in Education. 2007 – 2008.
Consulting Editor for undergraduate research papers, graduate theses, including doctoral dissertations. 2001 – present.
Writing Group Coordinator for a group of Fairfield County published writers. 2003 – 2005.
Consultant for the Stamford, Connecticut School Board. Developed and coordinated the Pre-College Readiness and Enrichment Program (PREP), at Stamford High School and The University of Connecticut. 1983-1992.
Recipient of a Connecticut Humanities Council grant to develop a conference entitled: The Black Family and Education. 1982
Coordinator of workshop entitled The Minority Student in the Predominantly White Institution: Strategies for Future Survival. 1976
Participant: South Africa Study Tour. 2007
Trustee: The King School, Stamford, CT 1997 – 2004
Chair, Education Committee (1998 – 2004)
Member: Supported Education Advisory Board, State of Connecticut 1992 – 1998
Member: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators 1985 – 2011
Awards:
Stamford NAACP Stamford Image Award. 2017
Stamford Chamber of Commerce Education Award. 2015
NAACP 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut Award. 2011, 2013, 2015
Silver Eagle Award for Community Service. November 2010
UCONN “Women of Color” Recognition. 2007-2009, 2008, 2009
ACE Office of Women in Higher Education “Advancing Women in Leadership” Award. 2006
Vanderbilt University/Peabody College Professional Institute for Higher Education Management. Summer Fellow, 2010