Associate Professor and Dean of Education
Bachelor of Arts (English) University of New Brunswick
Bachelor of Education (Mount Allison University)
Master of Religious Education (Newman Theological College)
Doctor of Education (Leadership and Learning ) University of Portland
Dr. Cusack has 31 years of experience within the K-12 education system. He has worked in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Alberta. Within Alberta he served in three school divisions. He has served as a classroom teacher, department head, assistant principal, principal (elementary, junior and senior high experience) and recently retired from Edmonton Catholic Schools where he spent eight years in superintendent roles; most recently as Deputy Superintendent.
Dr. Cusack’s research focuses on the professional development and learning of aspiring school leaders. Understanding leadership self-efficacy, methods of leadership training and development, school system improvement, as well as approaches to learning and leadership are among his research interests. Aspects of his doctoral research were recently published by Corwin Press in a book he co-authored entitled: Leader Ready: Four Pathways to Prepare Aspiring Leaders.
Dr. Cusack is a member of the Royal Canadian Navy where he serves as a Naval Warfare Officer. With over 35 years of experience in training and operations, Dr. Cusack served as Commanding Officer of HMCS NONSUCH (Edmonton’s Naval Reserve Division) and is currently serving as Senior Staff Officer of Community Outreach (Western Region).
Dr. Cusack is a member of the Edmonton Education Society, and has served on many community committees including Edmonton Salutes and the Alberta Assessment Consortium. He is an award winning poet, CBC word columnist and enjoys playing bass, scuba diving, and golf.