Susan Pierson, PhD
ESL Program Coordinator
Director of the EXITO grant US Department of Education (2021 to 2026)
Associate Professor, Education
Coordinator Graduate ESL Specialist Program
Susan Jacques Pierson, PhD, came to Cabrini as a full time faculty member in Fall 2010 after teaching in the Reading Specialist Program from 1992-2009.
Dr. Pierson served as a 4th and 5th grade teacher in the West Chester Area School District from 1975 through 2009. While in West Chester, Pierson taught technology education, migrant education, remedial reading and Adult ESL and Literacy classes.
She also served as a tutor for Volunteer English Program of Chester County and continues to work for this organization today as a tutor of adult English Language Learners and on the Board of Directors.
She is most proud of her work over the years with students of all ages from preschool through adult, especially recent immigrants to the United States. In addition to teaching ESL at Cabrini, she also teaches conversational English to adult learners online.
Dr. Pierson is deeply committed to the Mission of Cabrini University and has been privileged to be part of partnerships with Cabrini Ministries, Swaziland and Cabrini in Argentina. She traveled to both Swaziland, Argentina and Zambia where she taught ESL and was involved in staff development.
Dr. Pierson is grateful for opportunities to support the work of the Missionary Sisters in any way she can. She came to Cabrini because of the Mission and is happy to be a part of a school that inspires service beyond oneself, advocacy for marginalized people around the world, and a commitment to working for social justice. She is honored to be a Cabrini Lay Missionary.
Pierson earned Pennsylvania certification as a K-6 teacher, Reading Specialist PreK-12 and ESL Program Specialist PreK-12. She attained a BA in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College, a MS in Elementary Education and a PhD, in Literacy, from the University of Pennsylvania. Her dissertation entitled “The Secrets Within,” explored the efficacy of portfolio assessment. She earned her ESL certificate through Drexel University.