Dr. Blake Mackesy

Dr. Blake Mackesy joined Wilkes University in 2003 and served in various roles within University College (now the Office of Academic Success) until she assumed her current position in 2014 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership in the School of Education. Dr. Mackesy teaches Leadership, Diversity, and Societal Change; Organizational and Leadership Theory; Educational Institutions and Systems; and Politics and Policy for Educational Leaders. In addition, she is actively engaged in the Low-Residency experiences as well as in dissertation mentoring.

Dr. Mackesy served as a college-level practitioner and administrator in various leadership capacities for the past two decades, where she primarily focused on the out-of-class learning and development of undergraduate college students. Areas of expertise include academic advising, undeclared/exploratory majors, career development, disability services, academic success and support programs, orientation and First Year Experience programs, and other student-focused initiatives. Her research and scholarly interests involve self-efficacy and other non-cognitive factors for promoting student success (including grit, resiliency, and psychological safety) academic advising theory and practice, appreciative educational practices, faculty mentoring, and education policy.

Mackesy received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Russell Sage College, her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Rollins College, and her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Wilkes University. In 2015, Mackesy was a fellow with the Pennsylvania Education Policy and Leadership Center.

The mission of the Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership Program is to empower leaders with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effect change in educational systems through the synthesis of theory, scholarship, and practice. The vision of the program is to develop authentic, ethical, courageous, and innovative leaders who transform educational culture and practice.