Suzanne Marie White

Education
Dr. Suzie White serves as an Assistant Professor Educator in the School of Education at the University of Cincinnati, where she teaches courses on higher education, educational leadership, and student well-being. She earned her Ph.D. in Higher and Postsecondary Education from New York University (NYU), a master’s degree in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Wake Forest University.

Research Focus
Suzie’s research focuses on student thriving and well-being, the neuroscience of social connection and belonging in K–12 schools, parent and community engagement, college access for marginalized students, and K–16 education policy.

Experience
Prior to joining the University of Cincinnati, Suzie served as Executive Vice President of Leadership Scholars, where she developed and led mentoring and parent engagement programs serving more than 2,500 parents across 50 schools, churches, and community centers. She previously worked in program development at PeerForward, a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing college enrollment among low-income students. She also served as a high school college counselor and teacher at a Cristo Rey school.

Community Engagement
Suzie conducts professional development for superintendents, principals, and teachers, and partners with community leaders to improve educational opportunities for marginalized students. She participates as a guest of the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee’s Education Committee, which provides business leadership in support of high-quality education across the region. She serves on the Ohio board of Teach For America and has served on the planning committee for the College Board Forum.

Bachelor's Degree: Wake Forest University

Master's in Education Policy: Harvard Graduate School of Education

Ph.D. : New York University

Invited Presentations

Suzie White (08-06-2025. ) Wired for Connection: The Neuroscience Behind Student Belonging and Actionable Strategies for Schools .Principal Leadership Institute, University of Cincinnati. Level:University

Suzie White (08-07-2025. ) We Failed, We Listened, We Changed: Relational Parent Engagement Strategies That Reached Over 2,500 Families .Principal Leadership Institute, University of Cincinnati. Level:University

Suzie White (01-07-2026. ) Wired for Connection: The Neuroscience of Social Connection + Research-Based Strategies .Walking on Earth, Level:International

Suzie White (02-19-2026. ) The Science of Gratitude .Walking on Earth. Level:National

Suzie White (03-04-2026. ) Resilience Tools for Women at Work: A Neuroscience-Based Framework For Thriving .Webinar, Quinn Emanuel. Level:National

Poster Presentations

Suzie White (11-15-2025. ) Wired for Connection: Bringing the Neuroscience of Belonging into Educator PD and School Practices .Learning and the Brain Conference, Boston, MA. . Level:National

Education Policy, Politics, and Practice

Community College Overview

Masters Project Thesis

Legal Issues and Law in Higher Education

Seminar in Higher Education

Finance in Higher Education

School and Community Partnerships

Policy Issues in Teaching and Learning

Leading Educational Organizations Through Change

Leadership for Social Justice

International Education

Happiness in Action

Happiness in Action