Theresa Kirk, Ed.D.

Assistant Dean and Chair, Graduate Education Program

Ed.D., Boston University
M.Ed., Salem State College
B.S., Salem State College

As Assistant Dean and Chair of the graduate school, Dr. Kirk is responsible for all graduate education programs at Merrimack College including her most recent work of developing new master programs within the fields of Reading and Secondary Education as well as overseeing the successful launch and implementation of the new and rapidly growing Education Fellowship. 

Kirk, who began her career as a classroom teacher, also has a wealth of experience in school administration.  All platforms have given Kirk the opportunity to foster her expertise within the fields of reading and literacy by developing numerous programs for educators at the elementary, middle, secondary, baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate levels. 

Kirk has also been involved with the accreditation process for NCATE and DESE approvals and has held the positions of Associate Dean of Education at Endicott College and Vice President of Education for Advantage Schools and Edison Schools of New York where she managed charter schools across the United States. 

When not attending a campus event, visiting classroom sites or promoting awareness for her programs across neighboring school districts, Kirk can be found in her Austin Hall office surrounded by an ever-growing body of graduate students, alumni and her supportive faculty and staff. 

“I am delighted to be able to serve the Merrimack Valley and the North Shore as the preeminent source for teacher preparation at the Baccalaureate and Post Baccalaureate levels. The strength of our school partnerships in combination with the variety of license options for teachers has contributed to the rapid growth of our graduate programs.”  Dr. Theresa Kirk, 2011