Faculty Member Chosen for Harvard Leadership Program

Dr. Kimberly Cassidy is assistant professor and head of Walters State's Early Childhood Education Program.

Cassidy to Attend Leadership Program

A Walters State faculty member has been invited to attend a leadership school hosted by Harvard University.

Dr. Kimberly Cassidy, assistant professor of early childhood education and head of the college’s early childhood education program, will attend the Harvard Graduate School of Education Women in Higher Education Leadership Program. The program is a residential professional development opportunity that focuses on strengthening leadership skills and building networks to provide more opportunities for students.

Cassidy is one of 60 people chosen from across the world to participate.

“Dr. Cassidy is a woman of many talents,” said Dr. Whitney Jarnigan, dean of behavioral and social sciences and professor of psychology. “Her creative endeavors include not only teaching but also writing and podcasting. What impresses and inspires me most, however, is her passion for early childhood education.  She believes wholeheartedly in the field, and I have seen her go the extra mile time and time again to help students succeed.  She will represent us well at Harvard.”

Cassidy joined Walters State in 2024. She served as director of early childhood programs at the Hawkins County School System for 19 years. She also served as an associate professor and director of graduate programs at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio. She is the author of several educational texts and book chapters, including “Advising Preservice Teachers Through Narratives from Students with Disabilities,” which was co-written with Dr. Beverly Sande. Cassidy’s latest book, “Creating Diverse Experiences for Rural Appalachian Pre-Service Teachers,” will be released later this year.

Cassidy holds a doctorate in early childhood education from East Tennessee State University; an educational specialist degree in leadership and administration from Lincoln Memorial University; and a master’s degree in early childhood development and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Carson-Newman University.

Walters State offers a technical certificate, an associate of science and an associate of applied science in early childhood education. Eleven degrees related to education are available.