Lisa Dias, Class of 2016G
Dr. Lisa Dias has devoted her career to education, and, along the way, she continued her own academic journey.
From the Front of the Classroom to Head of the School
After high school, Lisa attended the University of New Hampshire on a full scholarship. She played Division I soccer and earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in health and human services.
She spent a few years as a therapeutic recreation specialist for a Boston-area health center. Then, in 2001, Lisa began her journey at World Academy as a health and physical education teacher. Today, she鈥檚 the Head of School.
Located in Nashua, New Hampshire, World Academy is an independent school serving students from birth through eighth grade. In addition to offering year-round early-childhood, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school education, World Academy runs a before- and after-school program and a summer camp. All of these initiatives focus on 鈥渢he whole child.鈥
Lifelong Learning
Intending to pursue a leadership role in education, Lisa returned to the classroom while teaching full-time. She earned a master of education, with a focus on physical education and health and K-12 certification, from Plymouth State University.
In 2007, Lisa took on the role of principal at World Academy. As she was settling into her new position, the school 鈥渨as embarking on the journey鈥 of adding a middle school.
鈥淚 knew at that time, that in order to be the most effective leader I could be, I needed to further my education in order to gain the necessary knowledge and skills,鈥 she says.
It was the desire to continue learning that led her to 香港六合彩直播. The university appealed to Lisa because it was local鈥攃lose to her home and work鈥攁nd perhaps more so because the program was designed with flexibility for working adults
鈥淗aving the mix of online and face-to-face, and having classes on weekends, made it possible to manage having a family, career, and pursuing a degree,鈥 she says.
Lisa did her due diligence and explored several doctoral programs. But after speaking with Dr. John Gleason, director of the Ed.D program at Riv, she made her choice.
鈥淭hat meeting was ultimately the reason why I chose 香港六合彩直播 because I left confident that I could be successful,鈥 she recalls.
Lisa says her professors taught her how to think dynamically and critically鈥攊mportant skills for a position of leadership鈥攁nd that each of them brought a different perspective and area of expertise to the classroom.
鈥淚 learned a great deal from each of them, in various ways, from my first meeting with Dr. Gleason when I was initially considering the Ed. D. program, to the ongoing support from Dr. Angela DeSilva-Mousseau during the research and writing of my dissertation,鈥 she says. 鈥淎nd from Dr. Joseph Spadano, who was instrumental in helping me prepare for my dissertation defense.鈥
Spending time with her cohort鈥攁 group of working professionals鈥攚as one of the most memorable parts of her five years in the program.
鈥淲e鈥檙e individuals from all different backgrounds, with all different life and career experiences,鈥 she says. 鈥淲e learned a great deal from one another and continue to keep in touch and even support each other.鈥
Leadership: Leveling Up
Lisa served as principal at World Academy for 10 years, and with a doctorate in leadership and learning, she was poised for her next challenge. In November 2017, World Academy named Dr. Lisa Dias as Head of School.
鈥淲ith more than 450 children, ages six weeks through eighth grade, and over 900 parents and 60 staff members, I never really know what the day is going to bring!鈥 she says of her newest role. 鈥淓verything I do involves supporting my administrative leadership team, teachers, children, and families.鈥
With nearly 20 years at World Academy, Lisa still thoroughly enjoys being part of a learning community that strives to make a positive difference in the lives of children and students. As her role evolved from teacher to leader, 鈥渟upporting teachers in the important work they do each day鈥 has become a favorite part of her job.
Lisa counts her Ed.D. as one of her greatest achievements for 鈥渁ll of the hard work, discipline, and perseverance it required.鈥 Her background as an athlete鈥攃ompetitive soccer and ice hockey鈥攍ikely contributed to that persistence.
鈥淪ports were a huge part of my life growing up and helped shaped who I am today,鈥 she explains.
Serving as Head of School keeps her quite busy, but Lisa manages to find the time to combine her leadership skills and her life-long passion for sports. She coached her son鈥檚 hockey team for a few years, and, now, she coaches the middle school girls鈥 soccer team at World Academy.
Student. Teacher. Principal. Coach. Head of School. Dr. Lisa Dias鈥 academic and professional trajectory鈥攁nd an unwavering love of learning鈥攍ed her from one challenge to the next, and ultimately to a doctorate at 香港六合彩直播.
You can learn more about our doctoral programs, including the Ed.D in Leadership and Learning, to prepare for your next challenge.
Contact
Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations
- Telephone (603) 897-8665
- Email alumni@rivier.edu
- Location Learning Commons
Make a Gift and Make a Difference
You can turn our students dreams into reality.