Desalyn De-Souza is Dean of the School of Human Services at Empire State University. Prior to her role as Dean, she was an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Child and Family Studies. Desalyn earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Siena College, a master’s degree in education with a concentration in Adult Education from LeMoyne College, and a Ph.D. in Child and Family Studies from Syracuse University.
Desalyn specializes in Early Care and Education of infants and toddlers. Prior to joining SUNY Empire in 2008, she coordinated a 14-county region of the New York State Infant and Toddler Resource Network, aimed at promoting quality caregiving for infants and toddlers. Her research interests are focused on the philosophy and practice of continuity of care with infants and toddlers in center-based programs, as well as workforce and professional development issues.
Most recent publication:
Gedro, J., Allain, N.M., De-Souza, D., Dodson, L., & Mawn, M. (2020). Flattening the Learning Curve of Leadership Development: Reflections of Five Women Higher Education Leaders During the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020. Human Resource Development International, DOI: 10.1080/13678868.2020.1779911
Most recent presentations:
MacMillan, T., Stewart, L., & De-Souza, D. (2023). Future of Program Assessment Through a Holistic Approach. Assessment Network of New York 11th Annual Conference, Albany, NY.
MacMillan, T., Stewart, L., & De-Souza, D. (2023). Making Program Assessment More Inclusive: Incorporating New and Existing Methods. Assessment Network of New York 11th Annual Conference, Albany, NY.
Gillespie, M., & De-Souza, D. (2022). Reflections on Faculty Development: Lessons Learned From the Pandemic. International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, Austin, TX.
Gillespie, M., & De-Souza, D. (2020). A Conceptual Framework for Variables Influencing Faculty Development. National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Online Convenings Professional Development Symposium. Virtual presentation delivered on August 12, 2020.
Degrees
- B.A. in Psychology from Siena College
- M.S.Ed. in Education, Adult Education from Le Moyne College
- Ph.D. in Child and Family Studies from Syracuse University
Awards
- Provost Fellow, SUNY Empire State College, 2018-2019
- Susan H. Turben Chair in Mentoring Award, SUNY Empire State College, 2017
- Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Fall Academy Fellow, 2016
- Scholars Across the College, SUNY Empire State College, 2016-2017
- Jane W. Altes Prize for Exemplary Community Service, SUNY Empire State College, 2013
- Doctoral Prize, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, Syracuse University, 2012
- 40 Under Forty Award, Community Involvement and Leadership in Central New York, 2011.
- Research Award, National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators Foundation, 2010
Publications
- De-Souza, D., Galuski, T., & Pollock, B. (2019). Educating the Child Care Administrator, Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, DOI: 10.1080/10901027.2019.1578308
- De-Souza, D., Galuski, T., & Minott, C. (2018). Connecting Early Childhood Students and Faculty from the Caribbean and the United States through COIL: Successes, Challenges and Opportunities. SUNY COIL Conference Proceedings, 18-28. https://issuu.com/sunycoilcenter/docs/2018_coil_conference_proceedings
- De-Souza, D. (2014). Educating the early childhood educator: A mentoring model for adult learners, Young Children, 69(2), 88-93.
- De-Souza, D. (2014). Touchpoints: An Approach for Mentoring, Teaching and Learning, All About Mentoring, issue 45.
- De-Souza, D. (2013). Coaching, mentoring and teaching: Reflections from the water, All About Mentoring, issue 44.
- De-Souza, D., & Radell, J. (2011). Superheroes: An opportunity for pro-social play, Young Children, 66(4), 26-31 .