When Danielle Wilken, EdD ‘15, began her doctoral journey at the University of Hartford, she was already an accomplished higher education professional, a department chair, and a mother of two young children. Balancing those roles was no small task, but as she puts it, “What I first saw as a weakness, long term became a strength.”
Danielle, now President of the University of Bridgeport, earned her Doctor of Education from UHart’s College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions (ENHP). With her undergraduate and master’s degrees already rooted in health sciences, pursuing a doctorate was the next logical step in expanding her understanding of teaching and learning.
“When you begin your career in higher education, you come in as a subject matter expert,” she explains. “You don’t necessarily have knowledge of pedagogy or good teaching practices. I felt I had a responsibility to add to that aspect of my knowledge base.”
For Danielle, every class and assignment in UHart’s EdD program was an opportunity to immediately apply what she learned.
“I wasn’t focused on grades,” she says. “I was focused on impact; how I could change something I was doing tomorrow to improve my institution and my students’ experience.”
That mindset paid off. As she completed her doctoral degree, Danielle became Vice President of Academic Affairs at Goodwin University, just weeks before completing her dissertation. Her research on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) later became the foundation of her professional mission. With a Davis Foundation grant, she established the UDL Institute at Goodwin, creating long-term resources to help faculty better support diverse learners.
She credits UHart’s faculty for helping her achieve this.
“Fred Schweitzer, who served on my dissertation committee, became both a mentor and colleague after graduation,” she recalls. “And Diana Larocco took me under her wing early on. The independent study I completed with her became the pilot for my dissertation.”
Throughout her studies, Danielle balanced graduate school, leadership responsibilities, and raising two children. Eric, then in kindergarten, and Rachel, just 18 months old. She admits the guilt was real, but the lessons were powerful.
“At work, I learned firsthand what it means to be a working adult student, and that changed how I support students today,” she says. At home, I was modeling values for my kids. Hard work, perseverance, and the importance of education. What I felt guilty about then became one of the most meaningful lessons I could have given them.”
Today, as president of the University of Bridgeport, Danielle continues to draw on those experiences. Her favorite part of her role?
“Student engagement, for sure, and the opportunity to take a vision and implement it. To drive change and make an impact.”
Reflecting on her time at UHart, she remains deeply grateful for the encouragement and flexibility she received.
“Even when I frustrated my professors,” she laughs, “they found a way to support me so I could succeed.”
Danielle Wilken, EdD ‘15, University of Hartford Alumna and President of the University of BridgeportAt work, I learned firsthand what it means to be a working adult student, and that changed how I support students today. At home, I was modeling values for my kids. Hard work, perseverance, and the importance of education.