Professional profile
Dr. Kimberly M. Nolan, Ed.D.
Education Consultant · Teaching Professor, Northeastern University · Author · Creator of the RISE Framework
Biography
Dr. Kimberly M. Nolan is an education consultant, author, and Teaching Professor at Northeastern University with more than 25 years of experience improving outcomes for overlooked and underserved students. Her work spans K-12 school improvement, higher education program review, and education for justice-involved youth — three areas that most consultants treat as separate disciplines.
She is the creator of the RISE Framework — a four-stage methodology for transforming educational environments: Reimagine (challenge deficit-based assumptions about students), Instruct (build rigorous, relevant learning environments), Support (create relational and trauma-informed infrastructure), and Elevate (sustain systemic change and student agency).
Dr. Nolan's published research on juvenile justice and education makes her one of the few consultants who can bridge the gap between research and reentry practice. She has worked with school districts, juvenile detention facilities, reentry programs, and higher education institutions across the United States.
Her work has been featured in Youth Today, the national publication covering youth-serving systems and juvenile justice, and she has been recognized by Influential Women for her impact in education.
Credentials
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Teaching Professor, Northeastern University
- Graduate Faculty — Education Programs
- 25+ years in K-12 and higher education
- Published author — three books on education equity
- Featured in Youth Today
- Recognized by Influential Women
- Creator of the RISE Framework
Areas of expertise
K-12 School Improvement
School climate transformation, trauma-informed practice, restorative discipline, equity-centered professional development, and program evaluation for districts serving underserved students.
Higher Education Consulting
Program review, faculty development, accreditation preparation, and curriculum redesign for colleges and universities.
Justice-Involved Youth
Education continuity, reentry planning, alternative education program design, and instructional quality improvement for juvenile detention facilities, reentry programs, and community-based organizations.
Speaking & Professional Development
Keynote addresses, half-day and full-day workshops, and multi-day institutes on the RISE Framework, trauma-informed practice, restorative discipline, and education equity.
Published works
Education for Justice-Involved Youth
Book
A practitioner guide to improving educational outcomes for court-involved young people, from detention through reentry.
The Overlooked Student
Book
A research-backed framework for identifying and serving the students most likely to be missed by traditional school improvement efforts.
Reimagining Instruction
Book
A guide to building instructional environments where every student — including those labeled unteachable — can access rigorous, relevant learning.
Ready to work together?
Dr. Nolan works with a select number of partners each year. Early outreach is encouraged.