School of Education

Bio

Dr. Jesse Senechal serves as the Executive Director of the Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation (ICRE) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). With more than a decade of experience in educational research and evaluation, Dr. Senechal has led numerous collaborative projects aimed at improving educational outcomes across various educational settings. His expertise spans topics such as teacher residency models, culturally responsive teaching, and work-based learning. Dr. Senechal also has expertise in collaborative research methods and has a background in teacher professional development, including teacher action research programs and teacher induction programs. Among his recent projects, he co-leads the evaluation of the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP), a statewide initiative to enhance work-based learning opportunities, and serves as the lead evaluator for the University of Buffalo Teacher Residency (UBTR) program, studying its impact on teacher development and student achievement over time.

Before his academic career, Dr. Senechal spent more than a decade as a high school teacher in Chicago and Richmond, where he developed a deep understanding of urban education challenges and opportunities. His commitment to equity and inclusion is evident in his research, which often focuses on addressing disparities in education. Additionally, Dr. Senechal has contributed to the field through numerous publications and presentations, and his leadership in fostering community collaborations and partnerships continues to drive the mission of ICRE to transform educational systems and improve outcomes for all students.

Curriculum Vitae