Continuing Education

Meet Our Faculty 

Dr. James O'Connell
Coordinator and Advisor
Visiting Assistant Professor

B.A. Northeastern University; M.Ed., Framingham State University; D.Ed., Boston College

Dr. James O'Connell is the coordinator and program advisor for the Master of Arts concentration in Educational Leadership. He also supervises the Practicum courses within the program.

joconnell@framingham.edu

---

Dr. Richard Cunningham
Visiting Professor

B.A., M.Ed., Framingham State University; Ed.D., University of Massachusetts, Lowell

Dr. Richard Cunningham has taught at Framingham State University for twenty-seven years in both the English and Education departments.  In the Educational Leadership program, he teaches EDLE 927 Advanced Teaching Strategies and EDLE 970 Curriculum Theory.  Additionally, Dr. Cunningham has supervised the student teaching of English majors and teaches Foundations of Education for post-baccalaureate students at Framingham State.  He has also worked as a Humanities advisor to the Liberal Studies program and teaches overseas in the University’s International Education Program.  For several years Dr. Cunningham was a senior lecturer in Northeastern University’s Educational Leadership doctoral program.

rcunningham@framingham.edu

---

Dr. Robert Berardi
Visiting Assistant Professor

B.S., M.Ed., Worcester State University; M.A., Framingham State University; Ed.D., Northeastern University

Robert J. Berardi received his Doctor of Education from Northeastern University. With thirty-one years of successful educational experience on the secondary level as a teacher and principal, Dr. Berardi served in central office capacities for nine years of which six were in the position of superintendent of schools. After retiring from public school education in 2002, he joined Framingham State University and Northeastern University as a visiting assistant professor. He has been active in the development of online instruction at the higher education level. His field of research and study is education policy, legal issues, finance and organization theory and practice.

rber6292@verizon.net

---

Ms. Kim Cochrane
Visiting Instructor

B.A. Middlebury College; M.L.S. Archives Managment; CAGS Salem State University; Currently completing dissertation for Ed.D Curriculum Leadership

My career has been largely in libraries of all kinds; archives, public libraries, and college libraries, but primarily I have been a K-12 library media specialist. I am very excited to be at Framingham State, since it is providing me with the opportunity to work closely with preservice teachers, teachers and faculty, helping to improve the educational experience for children state wide.  I am currently working with the Christa McAuliffe Center and NASA to bring an Educator Resource Center to Framingham State, which will provide a wonderful STEM area educational resource for the teachers and students of Massachusetts, as well as our own FSU students.

I live in Fitchburg; a long commute, but when you’re happy about your destination, no commute is too long! I have two grown children; Ben, a composer, and Katie, a third-year student at Northeastern (planning to become a doctor). My husband Fred and I have two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Moss and Skye, who keep us covered in hair. Sailing, rowing, and photography keep me out of trouble.

kcochrane@framingham.edu

---