Sheila Harrity, Ed.D., a 1993 graduate of Worcester State University’s Master in Early Childhood Education program [1], will serve as the commencement speaker for graduate commencement exercises on May 15, 2015, at 6 p.m. in Sullivan Auditorium, and she will receive an honorary doctorate at the event.
Harrity has played a transformational leadership role in education in greater Worcester for more than 20 years, improving the lives of countless students along the way. Since the beginning of her career, when she taught children with special needs, Dr. Harrity has ensured that those facing challenges – physical, emotional, and economic – learn in an environment that fosters success.
Harrity’s career path demonstrates a commitment to this region, from coaching at Doherty High School and the College of the Holy Cross in the 1990s; to teaching and serving as principal of Wachusett Regional High School; and leading Worcester Technical High School to great heights.
Her leadership at Worcester Vocational School [2]– where 65 percent of the 1,400 students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and slightly more than 50 percent are minority students – has been called “transformative.” During her time there, Harrity implemented a plan emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and establishing an industry advisor group. In 2009 a Harvard Initiative conference report featured Worcester Tech as one of 15 outstanding public schools in the country; in 2011, the school was named one of 10 “Breakthrough Schools,” and in 2013, Harrity was named the 2014 MetLife/National Association of Secondary School Principals National High School Principal of the Year – the first Massachusetts principal to be named a national principal of the year in the program’s 20-year history. President Barack Obama chose the school as the setting for a high school speech in 2014.
Before her tenure at Worcester Tech, Dr. Harrity served as a classroom teacher in Worcester Public Schools and was assistant principal and principal of Wachusett Regional High School in Holden. She is currently serving as Superintendent of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School District [3].
Harrity’s commencement address will be offered to more than 100 students who will have Worcester State University [4] graduate degrees conferred upon them that evening, along with their family members and guests.