Dr. Mary Zaharis earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with a Superintendent endorsement from Concordia University Chicago and brings over 25 years of experience in education, including 16 years as a school leader in both public and private schools.

She currently serves as Assistant Dean in the College of Education at Concordia University Chicago, where she teaches in the masters and doctoral programs, chairs dissertations, leads advanced licensure programs, and provides leadership for CAEP and SPA accreditation. Her work is driven by a commitment to preparing future school leaders by advancing CUC's mission through a leadership framework grounded in integrity, competence, and servant leadership. A key focus of her work is mentoring aspiring leaders to discern their vocational calling of leadership to serve others.

Degrees

  • PhD, Educational Leadership - Concordia University Chicago; River Forest, IL
  • MS, Educational Leadership - University of Georgia; Athens, GA
  • BS, Elementary Education - University of Nebraska; Omaha, NE

Academic and Professional Highlights

Awards

  • Summa Cum Laude - CUC
  • Summa Cum Laude- UGA
  • Magna Cum Laude - UN
  • Associate Dean Leadership Academy - 2025
  • Concordia University Chicago Graduation Commencement Speaker
  • Concordia University Chicago NetVUE Grant
  • Concordia University Chicago Commencement Junior Marshall
  • Teacher of the Year Finalist - GCPS
  • Patriarch Athenagoras Medal for Distinguished Music Service

Prior Professional and Academic Positions

  • Illinois Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEA) Board Member
  • International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL)
  • Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship Coordinator
  • Petrovich Scholarship Coordinator
  • Metropolis Choir Federation Board Member
  • Illinois Principal's Association (IPA)
  • Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development ILASCD
  • Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
  • National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)
  • National Association of Secondary School Principals (NAESP)
  • Association of Middle Level Educators (AMLE)
  • Phi Delta Kappa International
  • Sisterhood of Clergy Wives
  • University of Georgia Alumni
  • University of Nebraska Alumni
  • Concordia University Chicago Alumni

Areas of Research

  • Educational Leadership
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Mentorship
  • Principal Evaluation
  • Spiritual Leadership

Publications:

  • Zaharis, M., Glasgow, D., & Schlicthing, G. (2025). Program report for the preparation of educational leaders (school district leadership level) National Educational Leadership Program (NELP, 2018) standards. National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA).

  • Miskovic, M., Zaharis, M., & Stiek, J. (2024). Self-study report: Concordia University Chicago. Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation.

  • Kendall, C., Bayens, P., Sleezer, M., Calendo, K., & Rogner, D. , Zaharis, M. (Eds.). (2024). Concordia University prayerbook. Concordia University Chicago.

  • Zaharis, M., & Ortegon, N. (2024). Overcoming the challenge of social disconnection: Embracing an ecological approach to educating the whole learner. ILASCE Quarterly Journal, January. https://issuu.com/ilascdpublishing/docs/winter2023final?fr=sYTIzYjYyODU2ODg

  • Zaharis, M. C. (2023). Whole teacher mindset: Unlocking the untapped potential of teachers. ILASCD, (January), 11-20. https://issuu.com/ilascdpublishing/docs/winter2022final

  • Colvard, I., & Zaharis, M. (2023). Thriving in the superintendency: Female district leadership share their journeys. Educational Leadership Review of Doctoral Research, 11, 32?49.

  • Jerome, H. C., Glasgow, D., Zaharis, M., & Safer, A. (2022). Teachers' Perceptions on the impacts of social emotional learning program implementation. Education Leadership Review, 23(1), 169-183.

  • Zaharis, M. (2019) High quality teacher induction and multi-year mentoring: Are the new teachers in your school thriving or merely surviving? Lutheran Educational Journal, November, 1-4)

  • Zaharis, M. (2019) Ethical decision-making for 21st century school leaders [working paper]. 83rd Annual Conference of Association of Lutheran Colleges Faculties (ALCF), Wittenberg University, Springfield University.

  • Zaharis, M., Sims, P., Tagaris, A., Hendricks, A., Sekulich, K., & Glasgow D. (2017). The impact of spirituality on school leadership. International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation, 18, 1-5.

Presentations:

  • Zaharis., M. (2025, August 6). Beyond the game: Guiding student athletes toward their God-given calling: A mentoring framework for vocational discernment [Conference presentation]. NetVUE Program Development Grant Presentation, Concordia University Chicago

  • Barthen, L., Glasgow, D., & Zaharis, M. (2024, November). Surviving and thriving in the principalship: The balancing act between home and work. Presentation at the IASB-IASA-IASBO Joint Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.

  • Zaharis, M. (Presenter). (2024). The power of embracing emotions: Fostering emotionally intelligent teams for enhanced productivity, team cohesion, and organizational success in the workplace. [Presentation]American Conference of Academic Deans (ACAD) 80th Annual Conference, Tampa, FL.

  • Zaharis, M. (2024, July 29). Fostering emotionally intelligent teams: Leadership as moral imperative. ICPEL International Conference, San Antonio, TX.

  • Zaharis, M.(August 2022). Authentic intellectual writing. [Presentation] Concordia University Chicago, Chicago, IL.

  • Zaharis, M. C., & Ortegon, N. D. (November 2023). From the emotionally intelligent classroom to the emotionally intelligent school: A pathway toward social and academic excellence.[Presentation]. Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACAA) Scholarship of Pedagogy Symposium, Elgin, IL.

  • Zaharis, M. C., & Ortegon, N. D.(October 2023). Toward cultivating a culture of connection. [Presentation]. The Association of Lutheran College Faculties (ALCF) 88th Annual Conference: Retelling our story: The value of teaching vocational exploration in the liberal arts context, Des Moines, IA.

  • Zaharis, M. C. (August 2023). Holy great martyr: Katherine of Alexandria. [Presentation]. Metropolis of Chicago Sisterhood of clergy wives, Glenview, IL, United States.

  • Zaharis, M. C., & Ortegon, N. D. (November 2023). From the emotionally intelligent classroom to the emotionally intelligent school: A pathway toward social and academic excellence.[Presentation]. Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACAA) Scholarship of Pedagogy Symposium, Elgin, IL.

  • Zaharis, M.(August 2022). Authentic intellectual writing. [Presentation] Concordia University Chicago, Chicago, IL.