Dr. Marilou Ryder

Professor of Education
Education
Organizational Leadership, Women in Leadership, Creativity and Innovation

Dr. Marilou Ryder serves as the Program Chair and Professor of Education for the Ed.D. program in Organizational Leadership at the University of Massachusetts Global. With a distinguished career in educational leadership, Dr. Ryder has accumulated extensive experience at both the university and school district levels. Her professional journey spans six school districts across two states, where she has held roles including classroom teacher, middle school principal, assistant superintendent of educational services, and superintendent for both unified and union high school districts.

Dr. Ryder is the author of the third edition of the bestselling book Rules of the Game: How to Win a Job in Educational Leadership 3rd Edition (2024, Delmar Publishing), a comprehensive guide designed to help educational leaders achieve their career aspirations. Her latest publication, Bold Brilliance: Personal Power and Possibilities, features contributions from 14 women leaders who share their insights on gaining personal power and achieving success. Additionally, she is the coauthor of ten influential books on personal power, published under the Sister to Sister Series for Women and Girls. As a sought-after speaker, Dr. Ryder delivers engaging presentations throughout California on topics such as female personal power, branding, and career advancement.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ryder has been a passionate advocate for scholarly learning and practice, committed to enhancing educational quality through innovation and sustainable change practices.

Education History

1998 - Ed.D. Organizational Management, University of LaVerne, LaVerne, CA

  • Dissertation: “The Impact of Male Gender Dissonance on Women’s Potential Eligibility for Advancement to the Position of Superintendent

1973 - MS in Education, Syracuse University, NY

  • Education and Curriculum

1971 - B.S. in Education, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY

  • Math and Science
     

Scholarly Activities

2024

  • Bold Brilliance: Personal Power and Possibilities (Delmar Publishing)
  • Rule of the Game:  How to Win a Job in Educational Leadership 3rd Edition (Delmar Publishing)

2003

  • The SeXX Factor: Breaking the Unwritten Codes that Sabotage Personal and Professional Lives New Horizon Press
     

Professional Experience

2010: Superintendent, Victor Valley Union High School District, CA

 

2005: Superintendent, Central Unified School District, CA

 

2001: Assistant Superintendent, Educational Service, Los Angeles Unified School District, CA

 

 

Education History

1998 - Ed.D. Organizational Management, University of LaVerne, LaVerne, CA

  • Dissertation: “The Impact of Male Gender Dissonance on Women’s Potential Eligibility for Advancement to the Position of Superintendent

1973 - MS in Education, Syracuse University, NY

  • Education and Curriculum

1971 - B.S. in Education, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY

  • Math and Science
     

Scholarly Activities

2024

  • Bold Brilliance: Personal Power and Possibilities (Delmar Publishing)
  • Rule of the Game:  How to Win a Job in Educational Leadership 3rd Edition (Delmar Publishing)

2003

  • The SeXX Factor: Breaking the Unwritten Codes that Sabotage Personal and Professional Lives New Horizon Press
     

Professional Experience

2010: Superintendent, Victor Valley Union High School District, CA

 

2005: Superintendent, Central Unified School District, CA

 

2001: Assistant Superintendent, Educational Service, Los Angeles Unified School District, CA

 

 

Related Programs

Businesswoman leading a training class for professionals
Leadership

Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership

Step up and take your place among the next generation of leaders with this Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership. Ultimately relevant in the workplace, this online Ed.D. features three yearly starts and a streamlined dissertation process.
Aug 25, 2025