Marissa Gallagher, Director of Student Services for the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, has been selected to participate in the 2025–2026 Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP), a distinguished, eight-month professional learning experience administered by the Education Policy Leadership Center (EPLC) of Pennsylvania. The honor places Gallagher among an elite cohort of educators, policymakers, and community leaders from across the Commonwealth who are shaping the future of public education.
Sponsored by EPLC since 1999, the Education Policy Fellowship Program has cultivated more than 700 graduates who now serve as leaders in organizations and programs throughout Pennsylvania. The fellowship brings together professionals from education, human services, government, business, and community organizations to develop a deeper understanding of the public policy process and strengthen their capacity for leadership and advocacy. Fellows engage in a rigorous, immersive curriculum that spans eight months.
With nearly two decades of experience in education, Gallagher has built a career defined by a singular commitment: ensuring that every student — regardless of ability, background, or circumstance — has access to a high-quality education in their neighborhood school. As Director of Student Services, she leads the development of innovative programs that prioritize mental wellness, belonging, and equitable access to academic and behavioral supports across Baldwin-Whitehall.
Gallagher has been an active voice in national conversations about inclusive education. Through Baldwin-Whitehall’s partnerships with the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools and the AASA Learning 2025 Initiative, she has collaborated with educational leaders nationwide on forward-thinking programs focused on wellness innovation, future readiness, and comprehensive mental health support. She has also presented nationally on inclusive practices and precision teaching.
Beyond her programmatic leadership, Gallagher has demonstrated a proven ability to secure the resources needed to make innovative, student-centered programs a reality. Her grant writing and strategic funding efforts have brought both local and national investments to Baldwin-Whitehall, including Remake Learning grants supporting student-driven innovation, Pennsylvania Department of Education grants connected to the Attract-Prepare-Retain initiative, and Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency funding to strengthen school wellness, safety, and behavioral health infrastructure.
Gallagher’s impact has not gone unrecognized. She was honored as a Pittsburgh Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree, a distinction that reflects the depth and breadth of her contributions to the region’s educational landscape.
Her selection for the 2025–2026 cohort reflects both the quality of her professional record and the promise of her continued growth as a statewide voice in education policy. The fellowship’s emphasis on broadening understanding of the public policy process, enhancing advocacy skills, and expanding professional networks aligns closely with Gallagher’s trajectory and the needs of the students and families she serves.
For the Baldwin-Whitehall School District and the broader southwestern Pennsylvania community, Gallagher’s fellowship is both a well-deserved recognition and an investment in the future — ensuring that one of its most dedicated champions for children will return with sharper tools, stronger connections, and an even broader perspective on what is possible for every learner.
