Catholic School Leadership (MS)

Leisa Marie Carzon

Leisa Marie Carzon, Ph.D.,has over 27 years in higher education. She is Director of the Catholic School Leadership graduate program and an assistant professor.  She graduated with high distinction from the University of Michigan and obtained graduate degrees in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan and University of the Cumberlands. Her research interests include K-12 education, Catholic school identity, and the spiritual formation and theological literacy of Catholic school administrators.  She is currently a principal investigator for a nationwide study to provide feedback to the Congregation for Catholic Education, a Pontifical congregation of the Roman Curia, with results to be presented to the Vatican.  

She is also coloratura soprano, holds a graduate degree in vocal performance, and has performed both nationally and internationally.  She has sung with the Michigan Opera Theater and Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and has been a featured soloist with numerous symphonies, chamber ensembles, and choral groups. Musical highlights include performances as an oratorio soloist on recordings, a featured operatic role in Italy, a vocalist in a DSO production with Maureen McGovern, a soloist for the consecration of the EWTN-affiliated Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and a chamber vocalist for a visit of His Holiness Pope St. John Paul II. 

Rick Benedict

Richard R (Rick) Benedict, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus, was a full time faculty member of Madonna University since the fall of 2001.  He served as chair of the Teacher Education Program for six years – interrupted by a year of recuperation from a bout with leukemia and a bone marrow transplant.  He recently rejoined the faculty, part-time, to serve as Chair of the Master of Science programs (Educational Leadership and Catholic School Leadership) for this current academic year.  Prior to his tenure at Madonna, Dr. Benedict, spent 30 years in public schools in many different roles – including high school principal, middle school principal, developer of a network of alternative high schools (Enterprise High – see the book “Trashcan Kids”), an occupational education teacher, a vocational education administrator, a high school teacher and football coach.  He served as adjunct faculty for both Saginaw Valley State and Oakland University before he joined the faculty at Madonna.  He has a bachelor’s degree in Economics, a master’s degree in counseling, a doctorate in educational leadership and is also a commissioned spiritual director (trained through the Jesuits at Manresa). 

His interests include educational change, elevating the professional status of teachers, advocating for the integration of social-emotional goals in the assessment of school performance, and improving the learning-lives of all learners – including teachers, administrators, parents and the learners from whom we learn to teach.  

Joy Oslund

Joy Oslund, Ph.D. is the Coordinator of Directed Teaching and an Assistant Professor in the College of Education. She joined the full time faculty of Madonna University in 2016. She received her Ph.D. in Teacher Education from Michigan State University. Her research interests include teaching elementary mathematics for social justice, using cooperative group work to promote equity in classrooms, and teacher learning. She serves on the board for the Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics and is actively engaged in organizations promoting anti-racism in schools.

Stewart Wood

Stewart Wood is the Associate Dean for University Assessment, Professor of Education, and Chair of the Faculty Professional Development Committee. Stewart joined the full-time faculty at Madonna University in 1994. He teaches Educational Research and Practice in the HEA program, drawing on his expertise in teaching and learning theory, educational psychology, lifelong learning, achievement motivation, and assessment. Dr. Wood is an active member of the American Educational Research Association and serves as a reviewer for the Lilly Conferences on College Teaching. Dr. Wood has served on numerous advisory boards and published articles in Phi Delta Kappa and the Journal of Early Adolescence. Stewart earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Michigan and M.Ed. from the University of Sheffield, U.K.

Anne Morris

Dr. Anne M. Morris is an Associate Professor and Madonna University’s Director of Institutional Effectiveness. Her doctoral degree is in Educational Leadership and her professional interests include organizational change, assessment, strategic planning, and K-12 Catholic schooling. Dr. Morris teaches in the Educational Leadership master’s program. She is a member of the Academic Excellence Committee for the Archdiocese of Detroit and serves as a board member for a local Catholic elementary school.