Dr. Charise Breeden-Balaam, LSW
Educator, Public Speaker, and researcher in New Jersey
Dr. Charise Breeden-Balaam has a long career in social work and higher education administration. She has been a professor at several local colleges and universities, focusing on the social sciences. With this experience, she has worked with various clients in mental health services and corrections departments, as well as in public and private partnerships.
Charise earned an Ed.D in Community College Leadership from National American University. Her dissertation was “Assessing Student Food Insecurity Levels at an Urban Community College,” the
abstract of which reads:
“By providing a better comprehension of the food insecurity faced by college students, namely those in New Jersey, it may be possible to determine specific programs that may serve to help this population. Moreover, since this topic has received little research focus, it is unknown as to whether food insecurity may affect the academic performance of college students. This mixed-methods research study explored food insecurity at an urban, two-year community college in Passaic County, New Jersey.”
Charise is a Licensed Social Worker with a Master's Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from Thomas Edison State University. She is a member and leader of several international, national, and New Jersey organizations.
In addition, Charise is an accomplished professional speaker who has presented at several conferences, including Black Doctoral Network Students, the National Council on Black American Affairs, and Rutgers University. Her speaking topics include, but are not limited to: “The Mental Health Burrito Bowl”; “Special Education Empowerment”; “Valuing Our Adjuncts”; and “Food Insecurities Among College Students.” Charise continues to make herself available as a professional speaker even during these unprecedented times.
Charise is a leader who believes that education is the only way to move the country forward. She lives her life governed by a quote from Dorothy Height, “I want to be remembered as one who tried."
Charise is the proud mother of two great children, son Dachary and daughter Sadaqah, and enjoys spending time with her dog, Dr. Fluffy.