Gaëtane Jean-Marie, Ph.D., is dean of the College of Education and professor of Educational Leadership at Rowan University. Prior to that, she was dean of the College of Education and Richard 0. Jacobson Endowed Chair of Leadership in Education at the University of Northern Iowa. A native of Haiti, she is the middle daughter of nine siblings. She has 30 years of experience in higher education institutions serving urban, suburban, and rural communities. While she has lived over 24 years in New Jersey, she has also lived in Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Florida, and North Carolina to pursue her educational and professional goals. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree at Rutgers, The State University, and her Ph.D. and graduate certificate at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro.

Dr. Jean-Marie’s research focuses on educational equity and social justice in P–12 schools, women and leadership in the P-20 system, and leadership development and preparation in a global context. She has over 90 publications which include books, book chapters, and academic articles in peer-reviewed journals, and procured over five million dollars in grants and contracts. Nationally, she is the editor of Studies in Educational Administration Series (Emerald Publishing) and serves on numerous advisory boards.

At Rowan University, some of her signature initiatives include a partnership with New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to implement the Males of Color Hope Achievers (MOCHA) funded program ($930k), an alternate route to teaching pathway for bachelor’s degree holders to become certified and teach in high need schools. Also, in partnership with four colleges at Rowan, she led the team in procuring $1.5 million dollars from OSHE to offer a dual enrollment program, Rowan’s Opportunity for Postsecondary Success and Excellence (ROPES) in computer science, engineering, music business, social services/work, and teacher education to 100 underrepresented high school students from seven South Jersey school districts. Last fall in partnership with Camden City School Districts, the college launched Teach Camden, a grow your own alternate route to teaching program for current non-certified staff in the district to pursue teacher certification. At the heart of her leadership is connecting people, purpose, and practice.

Over the years, she has been acknowledged for her research and teaching excellence, and service leadership in addition to receiving professional honors. Since coming to Rowan University, she has been recognized as one of New Jersey ROI Influencers: Higher Education (2024), received the Candace Woman of Achievement in Education from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Southern New Jersey Chapter (2024) and awarded the Women of Achievement – Gloucester County recipient from Scouting America, Garden State Council (2024). Her other recognitions include serving as the commencement speaker for the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony (2019) at her alma mater, UNCG and recipient of the Distinguished Career Alumni Award, School of Education, UNCG (2017), the inaugural Janet McClain Legacy Award, UMETT Program (2017) at UNI, the Exemplary Leadership Award, Commission on Diversity and Racial Equity, CODRE (2016), President’s Office at UofL, the Excellence in Leadership by the Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, KY (2016) and other notable recognitions. In sum, focused and energetic, she enjoys being in and around educational settings as a leader, researcher, observer, facilitator, mentor, and teacher.