Why I Give: Shaun Doughtery
Opening doors for all to succeed
After earning a bachelor’s degree in math and economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Shaun Doughtery, EdD ’05 decided to pursue a provisional certificate to teach high school math. For five transformative years, Shaun taught at North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pa., where he discovered his passion for education and leadership.
This discovery led him to Gwynedd Mercy University, where he enrolled in the Master’s in Educational Administration program after numerous recommendations from colleagues and friends. Classes were held offsite in the evenings which was perfect for a teacher’s schedule and created a tight-knit cohort.
“I chose to attend GMercyU for many reasons, including affordability, accessibility, and a mission that aligned with my own values,” Shaun said. “The relationships with professors and staff, as well as my colleagues in my cohort, were the single biggest contributors to my learning and success.”
Shortly after graduating, Shaun became the Assistant Principal at North Penn, quickly putting the skills he learned in the classroom to practice. “The teachings I learned at GMercyU were well-aligned with the demands of my new role,” Shaun said. “I believe that the quality of my preparation, as well as the local regard for GMercyU and its graduates, contributed to the ease with which I transitioned into an administrative role.”
Inspired by this new role, a few years later Shaun wanted to explore the larger impact and effect administrative decisions had on students. He decided to pursue a doctorate in Quantitative Policy Analysis at Harvard Graduate School of Education to better understand the effects and inform policy and practice.
Now, Shaun is a Professor of Education & Policy and Director of the Catholic Education Research Initiative at Boston College, where he provides insight on the effects of educational policies and programs on society, and the connection between quality education and economic growth, innovation, stability, and equality.
“The training I had as part of my master’s program prepared me well for full-time doctoral study,” Shaun said.
“Today, I give back to GMercyU so that others can receive the same help and inspiration that I received. As an advocate for building a world that opens doors for all individuals to succeed and fulfill their potential, I am Mercy in Motion.”
Shaun recently joined GMercyU’s President’s Council and is a longtime supporter of GMercyU’s Annual Fund, which fuels the University’s most critical functions and areas of greatest need, like the provision of financial aid, program support, expert faculty, and unique student offerings that shape the Distinctive Mercy Graduate.
This article was originally published in the TODAY magazine Fall 2024 issue.
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