Mary Monica Ryder, EdD
Mary Monica Ryder, EdD
Instructional Designer | Molloy University
For more than two decades, Mary Monica Ryder, EdD, has excelled as a dedicated college professor—across online platforms and classroom settings and a wide range of subjects such as business, marketing, management, and organizational behavior. Her career in academia was launched in 2003 when she became an associate professor at Suffolk County Community College, where she has been active ever since. It has continued with additional positions as an adjunct business professor at Plaza College since 2022 and an instructional designer at Molloy University since 2023. The latter appointment, which she began at 58 years old, is a notable achievement as it marked a transition into a completely different field of education and came after unemployment and part-time work during the COVID-19 era.
Attributing her success to her mother, who instilled in her the belief that education is invaluable, Dr. Ryder was inspired to cultivate discipline and practical and critical thinking skills from an early age. She ultimately earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing and management from St. John’s University in 1986 and subsequently utilized her business acumen through a position as the Director of Dining Services at a reputable educational institution, all while bolstering her credentials. She attained an MBA in business administration and management from Dowling College in the 1990s and—amid her teaching career—accrued numerous SUNY-based certifications and an EdD in instructional leadership administration from St. John’s University in 2021.
A dedicated member of the American Council of Education and Online Learning Consortium, Dr. Ryder strives to take her career to the next level in the next five years by pursuing a position at a larger, more prestigious educational institution or exploring instructional design further. Wielding a doctorate in educational leadership, she’s passionate about assuming a leadership role, drawing from her extensive experience in management. She’s eager to transition to a role centered on ideas and designs; additionally, her love for research and writing fuels her desire to delve deeper into these areas.
Press Release
Marquis Who’s Who Honors Mary Monica Ryder for Expertise in Educational Design
Mary Monica Ryder is a dedicated instructional designer and educator based on Long Island
BABYLON, NY, July 15, 2024 — Mary Monica Ryder has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Ryder is an accomplished instructional designer at Molloy University, where she has been making significant contributions since 2023. Her journey to this role is particularly noteworthy as she transitioned into this new field at the age of 58, overcoming the challenges of unemployment and part-time work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This achievement stands as a testament to her resilience and adaptability.
Teaching the next generation of instructional experts is also a priority in Ms. Ryder’s career. Serving as an adjunct professor of business at Plaza College and an associate professor at Suffolk County Community College, she imparts knowledge in various business disciplines including marketing, management, and organizational behavior. Previously, she was an adjunct professor of business at Five Towns College from 2022 to 2023.
Ms. Ryder’s academic credentials are extensive and impressive. She earned a Doctor of Education in instructional leadership administration from St. John’s University in 2021. She also holds a Master of Business Administration in business administration and management from Dowling College, obtained in 1998, and a Bachelor of Science in marketing and management from St. John’s University, completed in 1986. These academic achievements have been instrumental in her career, providing her with the knowledge and skills necessary for her roles in academia and instructional design.
In addition to her formal education, Ms. Ryder has pursued numerous certifications that enhance her professional capabilities. These include Essentials of Team Collaboration, Project Management Foundations: Requirements, QM-Certified Higher Education Peer Reviewer, Multimodal Prompting with Google’s Project Gemini, Applying the QM Rubric, and Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, among others.
Ms. Ryder is actively involved in several industry-related organizations such as the American Council on Education, the Online Learning Consortium, and Higher Education Administrators. Beyond her professional life, she is deeply committed to civic engagement, regularly donating to local charity organizations, families in need, the American Heart Association, and animal rescue initiatives.
Ms. Ryder attributes much of her success to the values instilled by her mother, who emphasized the importance of education. This belief has driven her to excel academically and professionally while maintaining a critical approach to information—a skill she finds increasingly vital in today’s digital age.
In her personal life, Ms. Ryder enjoys going to the beach, reading, attending Broadway shows and operas, gardening, watching movies, and learning new things. Looking ahead, she aims to elevate her career by either securing a position at a larger educational institution or further delving into instructional design. With her extensive experience in management and a passion for research and writing, she is eager to take on leadership roles where she can contribute innovative ideas and designs.
