HIGHLIGHTS OF LEADERSHIP SERVICE TO MERCY UNIVERSITY
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
RESEARCH AND TEACHING INTERESTS
Timeline
Teresa A. Quackenbush
Dobbs Ferry,NY
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Assistant to the Provost for Enhanced Student Outcomes
MERCY UNIVERSITY
01.2025 - Current
Provide institutional leadership for student success, retention, and completion strategies aligned with the University’s strategic plan, contributing to a 94.6% first-year student retention rate (Fall 2025 / Spring 2026).
Initiate and sustain cross-campus collaboration between Academic Affairs and Student Success units, including Advisement, Campus Life, Tutoring & Support Services (CAEI), Accessibility Services, and Counseling advancing a coordinated, student-centered retention strategies.
Translate institutional priorities into coordinated initiatives that improve student persistence, engagement, and academic momentum across multiple student populations.
Created and launched a centralized communication system on Mercy’s LMS enabling students to access all support services through a single, streamlined platform, significantly improving service navigation and engagement.
Partnered with PACT to realign progress report timelines, increasing progress report compliance by 15% (Fall 2025 to Fall 2026) and improving early academic intervention.
Designed and implemented a new workflow with the University Evaluation/Registration team that reduced barriers in resolving incomplete grades, improving efficiency and successfully launching in Fall 2025 with full institutional adoption by Spring 2026.
Led a university-wide task force to restructure and assess the effectiveness of Mercy’s tutoring supports (CAEI) support, producing recommendations for institutional improvement and alignment.
Coordinate academic success strategies across schools and departments, ensuring consistency while supporting discipline-specific retention interventions.
Collaborate with Institutional Research to analyze student feedback and course evaluation data, contributing to a 5% increase in student course evaluation response rates and engagement metrics.
Use institutional data to identify barriers to student success and inform redesign of academic support systems, early alerts, and intervention strategies.
Partner with the Center for Teaching and Learning and Marketing to design and launch a university-wide Finals Week Campaign, resulting in the highest recorded student registration and engagement levels for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 cohorts.
Collaborated with deans, faculty, and academic leadership to promote teaching and learning strategies that support student persistence and success.
Led the first-ever university-wide Adjunct Symposium, engaging large-scale adjunct faculty participation in professional development and student success initiatives across university student success teams.
Secured and led implementation of a $9.5 million grant from the Suzanne McGraw Foundation to expand recruitment and retention of pre-service teacher candidates over a five-year period.
Core Faculty Assistant Professor, Department of Childhood Education
MERCY UNIVERSITY
01.2015 - Current
Courses taught at multiple campuses and across modalities:
Science Methods
Introduction to Early Childhood and Childhood Education
Working with Parents and Families of Children
Student Teaching Seminar
Supervise student teachers in the Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester and Putnam.
Assisted with revising course syllabi to align with accreditation requirements
Adjunct Professor, Department of Childhood Education and Department of Secondary Education
MERCY UNIVERSITY
01.2007 - 01.2015
Courses taught at multiple campuses and online:
Assessment, Methods and Materials
Science Methods and Social Studies Methods
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Educational Psychology
Supervise student teachers in the Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester and Putnam
Visiting Instructor, New York City Teaching Fellows
PACE UNIVERSITY
01.2010 - 01.2010
Courses: The Essentials of Teaching. Supervised student teachers in clinical practice throughout New York City
Curriculum Support Leader District 75
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
01.2008 - 01.2010
Supported and guided thirty classroom teachers by providing training in differentiated, individualized, academic, and vocational instruction coupled with social, emotional, behavioral and language supports to aid in the daily development of students. Additionally, served as the Assessment Coordinator for the Middle School site
THE NEW TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM
01.2007 - 01.2010
Trained four cohorts of incoming teachers to the New York City schools.
Additionally, served as a Selector to assist in recruitment and training of new teachers in schools across New York
General Education, Inclusion and Special Education Teacher, District 75
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
01.2004 - 01.2010
Classroom teacher of students under both alternate and standardized assessment.
Experienced in ABA, TEACCH and PECS methodologies
Previous Leadership Experience
Television Producer
01.1995 - 01.2006
CNN (Larry King Live), Fox News and NBC Networks
Booked, wrote scripts and produced guests for live, news, entertainment and political programs.
Responsible for producing breaking news stories, celebrities and political guests
Education
Ed.D. - Higher Educational Leadership
Manhattanville College
Purchase, NY
01-2023
Master of Science - Elementary Education
Mercy College
Bronx, NY
01-2004
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
01-1995
GRANTS
Suzanne McGraw Scholars Program, Mercy University (2025) $9M+ philanthropic gift from the Suzanne McGraw Foundation.
Quackenbush, T. & Ohseki, A. (2023). Undergraduate Mentoring Program for 5-Year Education Students. Mercy College Faculty Development Grant. $2,500.00
Ohseki, A., Quackenbush, T. Nitecki, E. & Wasmuth, H. (2019). Collaborative clinical practice: Connecting the moving parts. Mercy College Faculty Senate Micro-Grant. $800.
Ohseki, A., Nitecki, E., Wasmuth, H., and Quackenbush, T. (2017-2018). Early Childhood collective advocacy plan (Pilot): Moving from dialogue to action. Mercy College Faculty Senate Micro-Grant. $1,740.
Ohseki, A., Nitecki, E., Wasmuth, H., Quackenbush, T. and (2017-2018). Early Childhood Collective Advocacy Plan: Moving from Dialogue to Action. Awarded Mercy College Faculty Senate Micro-Grant. $2,000.00
Nitecki, E., Miletta, A. Wasmuth, H., Mages, W., Quackenbush, T. and Ohseki, A. (2016). Early Childhood Guided Field Work Pilot: Visiting Preschools Together to Enrich the Field Work Experience. Awarded Mercy College Faculty Senate Micro-Grant. $2,500.00
SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS
Quackenbush, T. (2025). Unlocking the Power of Blackboard Ultra: A Faculty-Led Exploration of New Features and Best Practices. Mercy University Faculty Seminar Day. Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Quackenbush, T., Levy, R.V., Ohseki, A., Martone, E., (March 2024). The Shifting Landscape of American Education: Addressing the Teacher Shortage [Conference Presentation]. Critical Questions in Education Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Quackenbush, T., Levy, R.V., Ohseki, A., Martone, E., (November 2024). The Power of Literacy for Today’s Global Citizens: Creating Informed and Empowered Classrooms [Conference Presentation]. AMLE Conference, Nashville, TN
Quackenbush, T.,Vallice Levy, R., Ohseki, A., Gunning, A., & Marrero, M. (2023, March 23-25). The Hands-on Fun of STEM Across All Subjects. The National Science Teaching Association National Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
Quackenbush, T. (2023). The Evolving Role of Faculty in online learning: Creating student engagement in discussion posts. Mercy College June Intensives. Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Quackenbush, T. (2021). Going Beyond the Screen: Increasing Online Student Engagement. Mercy College June Intensives. Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Quackenbush, T. (2018). Identifying Authentic Assessment: Creating Accountability and Achievement. Mercy College Faculty Seminar Day. Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Quackenbush, T. & Wasmuth, H. (2017). Learning Beyond the Screen: Creating Engagement in Distance Learning. The Northeast Connect Conference. New York, New York.
Quackenbush, T. & Ohseki, A. (2017). New York State Association for the Education of Young Children’s Annual State Conference: Setting the Stage: Promoting Language and Literacy Development Through the Arts. New York State Association for the Education of Young Children (NYSAEYC) Annual Conference. Rye, NY.
Quackenbush, T. (2016). The Magic of Inquiry Learning. Westchester Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference. Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Quackenbush, T. & Ohseki, A. (2016). Keeping It Real in the Early Childhood Classroom: Authentic Assessment, Accountability and Achievement in a Common Core Climate. The New York State Association for the Education of Young Children (NYSAEYC) Annual Conference. Rye, NY.
Quackenbush, T. (2016). Innovative Technology in Teaching and The X, Y and Z of Blackboard Learning. Mercy College School of Education Adjunct Appreciation Dinner. Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Quackenbush, T. (April 2016). Back to the basics: Observation, play and feedback in the early childhood classroom. Westchester Association for the Education of Young Children Newsletter. 17-18.
HIGHLIGHTS OF LEADERSHIP SERVICE TO MERCY UNIVERSITY
Leadership & University Service (Mercy University / Mercy College)
Secretary, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC) (6-year term completed 12/2024), providing leadership in curriculum review, program development, assessment, and Middle States compliance across academic units
University Senator (at-large), contributing to shared governance, institutional policy development, and academic decision-making
Participated in multiple university-wide committees advancing teaching excellence, retention, equity, and institutional effectiveness, including:
Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee (TLAC), supporting faculty development and Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) initiatives
University Retention Taskforce, analyzing retention trends and recommending student success strategies
Learning Environment Committee (LEC), contributing to classroom modernization and renovation priorities
College Rebranding Committee, supporting institutional transition from Mercy College to Mercy University
Served on multiple leadership and search committees, contributing to institutional hiring and strategic selection processes, including:
Center for Teaching and Learning Director Search Committee
BranchEd Grant Working Group, supporting data collection and development of faculty workload and support frameworks
PPOHA-funded Grad-Pro initiative, supporting Ed Scholars through field supervision and professional development
Coordinated Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Teachers program with 17 students from New Rochelle High School for a semester
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
Finalist Mercy College Online Teacher of the Year, Nominated for Teaching in Excellence, Mercy College Adjunct in Spotlight, 2010, 2006 recipient of the VSA Arts of New York City Award
RESEARCH AND TEACHING INTERESTS
Developmentally Appropriate Assessment in Early Childhood Early Childhood Curriculum Design
Qualitative Research in Childhood Education
Educational Leadership and Policy
Sociology of Education
Higher Educational Leadership
Timeline
Special Assistant to the Provost for Enhanced Student Outcomes
MERCY UNIVERSITY
01.2025 - Current
Core Faculty Assistant Professor, Department of Childhood Education
MERCY UNIVERSITY
01.2015 - Current
Visiting Instructor, New York City Teaching Fellows
PACE UNIVERSITY
01.2010 - 01.2010
Curriculum Support Leader District 75
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
01.2008 - 01.2010
Adjunct Professor, Department of Childhood Education and Department of Secondary Education
MERCY UNIVERSITY
01.2007 - 01.2015
THE NEW TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM
01.2007 - 01.2010
General Education, Inclusion and Special Education Teacher, District 75
Special Assistant to the Provost for Enhanced Student Outcomes at MERCY UNIVERSITYSpecial Assistant to the Provost for Enhanced Student Outcomes at MERCY UNIVERSITY
<ul><li>Oversaw all operational functions during the successful amalgamation of two legacy mutual insurers into a single, unified organization. Reported directly to the CEO and played a key leadership role in aligning people, processes, and performance with long-term strategic goals.</li><li>Led the full operational transformation of Salus Mutual, uniting teams and systems from two legacy organizations under a cohesive structure with shared goals and culture.</li><li>Redesigned leadership accountabilities and implemented new KPI and SLA frameworks, enabling stronger performance management and outcome tracking.</li><li>Built internal capacity in key operational areas, reducing reliance on external consultants and establishing a culture of ownership, capability, and continuous improvement.</li><li>Established an Operations function to support Claims, Underwriting, and Sales, delivering enterprise-wide value through data insights, process improvements, project delivery, and enhanced customer service.</li><li>Collaborated closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors to co-develop and launch the organization’s first corporate strategy post-amalgamation.</li><li>Held P&L responsibility for $45M in Gross Written Premium, with a strong focus on operational efficiency and strategic growth.</li><li>Delivered key strategic outcomes, including: First-ever member rebate in company history, First employee engagement survey, achieving a 75% engagement score, 3% reduction in expense ratio through operational efficiencies and cost control.</li></ul> at Salus Mutual Insurance Company<ul><li>Oversaw all operational functions during the successful amalgamation of two legacy mutual insurers into a single, unified organization. Reported directly to the CEO and played a key leadership role in aligning people, processes, and performance with long-term strategic goals.</li><li>Led the full operational transformation of Salus Mutual, uniting teams and systems from two legacy organizations under a cohesive structure with shared goals and culture.</li><li>Redesigned leadership accountabilities and implemented new KPI and SLA frameworks, enabling stronger performance management and outcome tracking.</li><li>Built internal capacity in key operational areas, reducing reliance on external consultants and establishing a culture of ownership, capability, and continuous improvement.</li><li>Established an Operations function to support Claims, Underwriting, and Sales, delivering enterprise-wide value through data insights, process improvements, project delivery, and enhanced customer service.</li><li>Collaborated closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors to co-develop and launch the organization’s first corporate strategy post-amalgamation.</li><li>Held P&L responsibility for $45M in Gross Written Premium, with a strong focus on operational efficiency and strategic growth.</li><li>Delivered key strategic outcomes, including: First-ever member rebate in company history, First employee engagement survey, achieving a 75% engagement score, 3% reduction in expense ratio through operational efficiencies and cost control.</li></ul> at Salus Mutual Insurance Company
Student Assistant to the Provost at Houston Christian University,Office Of The ProvostStudent Assistant to the Provost at Houston Christian University,Office Of The Provost