The scholarship was established to recognize candidates in School Building and District Leadership programs who demonstrate “academic excellence and positive educational impact in [their] school environment,” according to Dr. Nelly C. Lejter-Morales, Dean of the Graduate School of Education.

Hillary Friedman, a second-semester candidate with vast experience in special education classrooms, is the inaugural recipient of the scholarship, valued at $1000.

Friedman currently works as a unit coordinator at a District 75 school in Brooklyn. In this role, she oversees twelve alternate assessment classrooms and supports the assistant principal with administrative duties, including teacher mentorship, curriculum, parent and IEP meetings, and bus pickup.

Because much of her work as unit coordinator involves working as an administrator, Friedman thought it would be prudent to pursue a degree in School/Building Leadership. “As soon as I got in the role, I loved it from the start,” Friedman said. 

But, before she could consider going back to school, she needed to find the right program. She found it at Touro University. The flexibility of the online programs at the Graduate School of Education (GSE) offered Friedman the convenience she needed to pursue her graduate studies as a new mother. “I wanted to find a program that is self-paced," explained Friedman. "There are due dates, but I like that I can come home and decide when I want to do it, instead of having to jump on a Zoom.”

And while asynchronous online classes at Touro GSE allow her much-needed flexibility, that does not mean she is isolated. “I love all of my professors,” said Friedman. “They are so knowledgeable and come from all different places, so it’s nice to hear their perspectives.”

Friedman also enjoys collaborating with other candidates in her program. “I love that I’m meeting all these people virtually and get to hear about their experiences and all the perspectives that they bring. It’s nice to talk to other teachers and administrators and learn what their school does and how I can help better my school.”

As an administrator, she hopes to include educators in conversations about what students need as she works to balance state requirements with the needs of students, especially those with specific accommodations.

Friedman is proud of the work she has done throughout her educational career. She piloted center rotations in her classroom, helping students to focus on different skills and targeting the needs of students with short attention spans. Her entire school now runs this program.

Friedman believes educational leaders must be fully committed to their profession if they are to be successful. This field is “very challenging, and you have to be very passionate. You have to put your ego aside and focus on the kids to make sure they can reach their full potential, feel safe, and can grow.”

The Sebel Family Scholarship was founded by Dr. Alan Sebel, associate professor in the Department of School Leadership at the Graduate School of Education and co-founder of the Touro Academy of Leadership and Management (TCALM).

“As part of TCALM, we heard from Beth Gorin about opportunities to support Touro. That planted the idea,” said Sebel. “I was taught by my paternal grandfather to give back. I spoke with my wife and shared my desire to establish the scholarship as a way to give back to Touro for providing me with a second career by providing a GSE Leadership candidate a merit scholarship.”

The purpose of the scholarship is to maintain the family’s “connection to the worthiest candidates well into the future.” Sebel said, “The mission is to support worthy leadership candidates who have excelled in their preparation by maintaining a 4.0 GPA for 15 or more credits.”

Friedman was chosen as the first recipient of the Sebel Family Scholarship award from among five candidates who qualified based on merit. “All of the eligible students had to write a letter describing how they would use the money to serve their own education,” said Sebel. “They needed a letter of support from a leadership professor and one from their school principal. A committee that included Dr. Ruiz, Dr. T. Troisi, and my daughter Mandy, reviewed the application and supporting documentation and made the choice based on the strength of this material.”