Associate Professor
Department of Administrative and Instructional
Leadership
Sullivan Hall, Room 522
Queens Campus
Phone: 718 990 5537
Email Address: freeleym@stjohns.edu
Educational Background
Ed.D., 1984, St. John’s University, Administrative and
Instructional Leadership
M.S., 1969, Queens College, Early Childhood Education
B.A., 1967, St. Joseph’s College, Child Study
Research
Area of Specialization
Leadership, Administration and Supervision
Biography
Dr. Mary Ellen Freeley is an Associate Professor in the
Department of Administration and Instructional Leadership where she
teaches graduate and doctoral level courses and serves as mentor
for doctoral candidates. Additionally, she is a member of the St.
Vincent de Paul Team of the Catholic Schools Institute where she
works with the principals and board members of the newly formed
academies in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Before coming to St. John’s, Dr. Freeley served as a New York
City teacher, and then as an elementary principal and assistant
superintendent in Nassau County. She then worked for twelve years
as Superintendent of Schools in Nassau County in three districts –
Carle Place, Glen Cove and Malverne. Dr. Freeley has had numerous
articles published on leadership and learning styles.
Dr. Freeley has been professionally active throughout her
career. She is the past president of New York State and the
National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
(ASCD), the past president of New York State Collegiate Association
of Departments of Educational Administration (CADEA), the past
president and current Faculty Advisor to St. John’s University
Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, and current executive board member of
the Metropolitan Council of Educational Administration Professors
(MCEAP).
Dr. Freeley is also extremely involved in school governance as
indicated by her position as chairperson of the board at Our Lady
of Mercy School and at The Mary Louis Academy. She is also the
Governance Chair of the Board of Trustees at St. Joseph’s College.
In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for School
Business Partnerships of Long Island (SBPLI) and has been involved
with the FIRST Robotics competition on Long Island since its
inception.
Dr. Freeley serves on a number of University and Departmental
committees as well and is an active member of the St. John’s
Chapter of the Ladies of Charity.