Leading by Example:
How One Alumnus
Transformed an Urban
Detroit School District
By Meghan Orsino
F
or Derrick Coleman, EdD '17, his
life experiences have inspired him
to pursue a career in education
to provide all young people with equal
opportunities and, ultimately, led him to
Gwynedd Mercy University.
Life wasn’t always easy for Derrick,
and he empathizes with school kids who
grow up in poverty. There are unique
challenges that can result from poor
economic status, and through his own
personal experiences, Derrick connected
with other young students struggling
with similar issues.
“Through all the things you have to
overcome and endure, you develop a
strength,” said Derrick. “You become
very competitive because you feel it is the
only way to continue and survive.”
He wanted to make a difference in these
kids’ lives, so he worked hard to become
a teacher. After earning his bachelor’s
degree, he spent years as a high school
English teacher, and eventually worked
his way up to principal and then to
superintendent, where he could further
improve his students. In fact, he has been
the superintendent of the River Rouge
School District, an urban school district
adjacent to Detroit, since 2012. The
district includes three K-8 schools and
one high school.
When Derrick first arrived at River
Rouge, he had his work cut out for him.
River Rouge was losing students at a
“ We are all a sum of our life experiences. ”
rapid pace. Many parents in River Rouge
lost confidence in the schools, sending
their children elsewhere. The school was
on the verge of closing, with less than
1,000 students enrolled. Derrick gave
them reasons to believe in their local
schools.
Over the course of three years, Derrick
was able to raise enrollment by more
than 600 students and eliminate a
$3.4 million deficit. One of his many
accomplishments included opening a
new primary school focused on science,
technology, engineering, and math,
which offered families a choice of schools
without leaving the district. Enrollment
at River Rouge grew by 200% and
the district had to institute a waitlist
to attend. Thanks to his efforts, River
Rouge is becoming a model for urban
reform in Michigan.
Always striving to better serve his school
district, Derrick began looking to further
his education. A friend introduced
Derrick to Dr. Raymond Bandlow, who
was just starting GMercyU’s Doctorate
in Educational Leadership program.
Ray was also a Detroit native, and after
their long chat about personal values and
beliefs, Derrick enthusiastically enrolled
in the program’s first cohort in 2014.
During his time in the Educational
Leadership program, Derrick grew
as a person, both professionally and
personally. Not only that, but as the
only superintendent enrolled in the
program, Derrick was able to bring years
of real-world experience to share with
his cohort. He was more than willing to
impart these valuable skills and lessons
to everyone, and was able to bring a new
dimension to the program.
He graduated from GMercyU’s EdD
program in August 2017, completing
all of his course requirements within
three years, a highly commendable
accomplishment for a superintendent
of schools. Because of his personal and
professional accomplishments, Derrick
was presented with the 2018 Outstanding
Graduate Award. He flew all the way
to GMercyU from Michigan to be
recognized at Honors Convocation and
to walk with his fellow cohort members,
now friends, at Commencement.
With new experiences, perspectives, and
techniques from his time at GMercyU,
Derrick is excited to put his new skills
to work at River Rouge. He continues
to embrace the spirit of Gwynedd Mercy
University to this day, and is dedicated
to changing the world for the better, one
student at a time.
“GMercyU was the perfect fit for me,”
Derrick recalls. “While I could have
attended most institutions in the country,
the way in which I found this institution
is what I call divine. I couldn’t have
asked for a better experience.”
TODAY
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