Board Members

Joan O. Dawson, Ph. D.

Dr. Joan O. Dawson has held the professional objective that her career would result in improvement of the quality of life and education for children in this country by instituting policy and encouraging innovative thinking that breaks through the barriers of poverty, limited access, bias, and inadequate resources. For the past 35 years she has shown commitment to the communities, youth and parents across the country by her work in education and community service.  The core of her work is grounded in high expectations, respect and appreciation for all students and parents regardless of race/ethnicity, national origin, and sex or belief systems. 

Dr. Dawson is presently working with the New York University Metro Center’s Equity Assistance Center.  Her responsibilities include carrying out the on-going mission of the Region II EAC (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands).  Those duties include planning, coordinating, implementing and supervising the activities leading to technical assistance to school districts.  Extensive work is focused on the appropriate representation of African American and Hispanic students in special education.  Span of work includes charter schools, magnet schools, desegregation and access to quality programming, school climate, appropriate representation of students in gifted, talented and honors program, elimination of  student harassment and bias, appropriate assessment, closing the achievement gap, long-range planning and other areas related to equity and school reform. Dr. Dawson has previously worked as a high and middle high school teacher, a principal and assistant principal and in special education as a speech and language consultant. She has also conducted private practice as a speech pathologist.

Dr. Dawson is the recipient of many awards including the AASA Shanklin Scholarship Award, the Manhattan Community Board 10 Distinguished Service Award, Phi Beta Kappa Member at New York University, Blacks in Government Excellence in Education Award, New York Governors Award for Excellence in Education, Five Certificate of Appreciation Awards for Improving America’s Schools Conferences, Certificate of Appreciation New York City Department of Education Equal Opportunity Office, and most recently the recipient of the Governor’s African American Community Service Award.

Dr. Dawson serves on several boards including the Harlem Commonwealth Council, Inc and the Harlem Congregation for Community Improvement.  She serves on the Advisory Board of the New York Coalition of One Hundred Black Women.

Dr. Dawson holds a Ph.D. New York University, a Masters Degree from Louisiana State University and an undergraduate degree from Southern University.