Dr. Rita Sullivan
Assistant Professor of Doctoral Studies / Ed.S. Program Advisor
Address
MSCBuilding/Office:
Slot Number:
Dr. Rita Sullivan is an Assistant Professor in Doctoral Studies and the Ed.S. Program Advisor at Southern Arkansas University, where she also serves as a Dissertation Chair. Her teaching focuses on educational leadership, research, and professional practice, with an emphasis on preparing leaders to address the unique opportunities and challenges of rural and diverse educational communities.
Before entering higher education, Dr. Sullivan spent 13 years as a public-school educator in Louisiana and Oklahoma, teaching across elementary, middle, and high school settings. She holds Louisiana certifications in elementary education, middle and high school English language arts, English Learner education, and K–12 educational leadership. Her research interests include teacher efficacy, rural and diverse education, and instructional practices in lower-socioeconomic schools.
Prior to her career in education, Dr. Sullivan spent 12 years in marketing where she managed public relations, creative design, and multimedia advertising initiatives. In this position, she had the opportunity to increase community relations working with Habitat for Humanity and serving as a Loaned Executive Officer with the United Way of Northwest Louisiana. She has also served on several boards in her community. Drawing upon more than two decades of experience across education, organizational leadership, marketing, and community engagement, Dr. Sullivan is committed to helping others grow and succeed.
Education
- Ed.D., Organizational Leadership, Abilene Christian University
- M.S.E., Educational Leadership, Arkansas State University
- B.B.A., Criminal Justice, Louisiana State University
