Jennifer Moradian Watson

Dr. Jennifer Moradian Watson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at California State University, Fresno. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and has extensive experience in P-12 education as a teacher, administrator, and elementary principal. Her university roles include teaching in teacher and administrator preparation programs, as well as doctoral education. She is a reviewer for four journals and serves on the Board of the California Association of Professors in Education Administration. She has received the Fresno State Outstanding Faculty Publications Award for Educational Leadership (P12) and mentored a student who won the Carnegie Foundation’s Educational Doctorate Dissertation of the Year (2019).

Education:

• Ed.D., Educational Leadership, California State University, Fresno (2011)
• M.A. Education & Administrative Services Credentials, Fresno Pacific University (1993, 1998)
• B.A. Liberal Studies, California State University, Fresno (1990)

Research Interests: Dr. Watson focuses on educational leadership, equity in education, teacher retention, and innovative discipline structures. Her work emphasizes practical applications such as embedded fieldwork in doctoral programs, principal professional development models, and psychologically safe academic environments. She explores systemic solutions for student behavior management and school district support systems.

Recent Research Trends: Her publications and presentations address issues like special admitted student-athlete academic support, curriculum equity alignment, and job embeddedness in novice teacher retention. Her work bridges theory and practice, often involving collaborative research with peers and community partners.

Awards & Recognition:

• Fresno State’s Outstanding Faculty Publications Award (Educational Leadership)
• Carnegie Foundation Dissertation in Practice Award (student achievement, 2019)

Advising & Grants: Noted for her mentorship, her student’s 2019 Carnegie award reflects her impactful doctoral advising. Her research collaborations include studies on PASC program equity, problem-based learning in higher education, and embedded fieldwork outcomes. Grant-funded projects have examined community partnerships and teacher retention strategies.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Carnegie Project on the Educational Doctorate (CPED), contributing to national discussions on Ed.D. pedagogy. Collaborates with the California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance on behavior intervention frameworks.