Alum Wins National Dissertation Award

Jennifer Riggle honored for helping to transform engagement and mental health in rural schools

Sacred Heart University alum Jennifer Riggle recently won the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Dissertation in Practice Award for her outstanding research and initiatives regarding student engagement and mental health in rural settings.

According to the CPED website, the “prestigious award is presented to Ed.D. graduates whose dissertation demonstrates a scholarly endeavor that addresses a complex problem of practice and aligns with CPED’s core principles.”

The Wisconsin native and mother of three earned her Doctor of Education in social emotional and academic leadership in May 2025, and she also received the University’s gold medal of excellence award.

Riggle’s dissertation research focused on improving mental health in schools by tackling a critical issue: student disengagement. She found that when students feel disconnected from their learning, their emotional well-being suffers. Riggle’s work asked a central question: How can schools support teachers in fostering deeper student engagement and ultimately healthier classroom environments?

Starting in one rural Wisconsin district, Riggle’s culture of engagement framework has now expanded to 13 districts, demonstrating that small, teacher-led changes can yield significant results. Along the way, she uncovered something surprising: teachers were feeling disengaged, too. Her project opened the door for vital conversations about teacher learning and their sense of fulfillment.

“Jennifer Riggle’s work exemplifies the very heart of practitioner-scholarship,” said Mel Horton, dean of the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development. “By reframing student disengagement as a call for connection rather than defiance, she has created a model of authentic, human-powered improvement that is already transforming classrooms across rural communities.”

Riggle’s recognition highlights the growing impact of her work across Wisconsin, where educators are adopting frameworks to create classrooms centered on connection, curiosity, and care. What began as a local effort has now become a model for rural schools seeking ways to reimagine student engagement while supporting teacher well-being.

Reflecting on the honor, Riggle said, “I worked so hard on this dissertation, and I am proud of the impact it is having, not just for students, but for teachers and school communities across Wisconsin.”

Earning the CPED Dissertation in Practice Award places Riggle among a distinguished group of scholar-practitioners whose work bridges research and real-world impact. The award celebrates not only the success of her culture of engagement framework but also the spirit of growth and continued learning in education. Riggle’s recognition affirms that innovative, practice-led research can transform classrooms, strengthen communities and inspire future educators to reimagine what is possible.

Pictured: Program Director Kathleen Wallace, Ed.D., presents Jennifer Riggle with the Gold Medal of Excellence during the Farrington College of Education & Human Development's Graduate Academic Awards last spring.