Katherine Marshall-Polite

Dr. Katherine Marshall-Polite, LCSWR, RYT, is an experienced administrator, educator, leader, and consultant in social work, specializing in school-based services and support for vulnerable populations, particularly students experiencing housing instability. She has dedicated her career to improving educational experiences and advocating for students across academic institutions, public service, and nonprofit organizations.

As an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University School of Social Work, Dr. Marshall-Polite teaches School Services and Policy and the Advanced Standing Practicum Seminar. Passionate about educational equity, she is committed to preparing the next generation of professionals to deliver equitable, effective services and influence policy.

During her tenure with the New York City Department of Education, Dr. Marshall-Polite served as Deputy Superintendent and Executive Director of Programs for Students in Temporary Housing. She developed policies to support more than 10,000 students experiencing housing instability, with a focus on building resilience among traumatized populations. Dr. Marshall-Polite oversaw initiatives for pre-K through 12th grade, addressing school culture, advisory curriculum development, and strategies to improve attendance. She led the "Bridging the Gap" program, now ongoing, which provides mental health support via school social workers and creates alternative educational settings for culturally diverse urban youth. Dr. Marshall-Polite partnered with city agencies and local organizations to develop pathways to success and served on the mayor’s task force for pre-K and 3-K. She co-created the video "Who Is Homeless in Our Classrooms" to help educators recognize and support traumatized students and continues to share these practices at national and regional conferences.

As Founder and CEO of Higher Horizons LLC (HH), Dr. Marshall-Polite consults with administrators at the New York City Department of Education and leaders of community-based organizations, providing technical assistance in curriculum design and program development with an emphasis on social-emotional learning. HH provides free swimming and lifeguard instruction to community youth in exchange for community service participation, such as volunteering at food pantries, peer tutoring, assisting in early childhood classrooms, and teaching swimming. HH has chaperoned students to an academy in West Africa to teach and help install mosquito netting to prevent malaria. As a member of an international order, Dr. Marshall-Polite serves on a committee that funds programs to expand humanitarian initiatives, supporting schools in Haiti, Cuba, and Africa and contributing to food distribution efforts.

Dr. Marshall-Polite holds professional licenses and certifications as a School District and Building Leader, as well as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her credentials are further strengthened by certifications in Family Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Practice. Additionally, she is a registered yoga instructor with 500 hours of training in wellness, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning, enhancing her community service efforts.