Nicholas Young of Superintendent South Hadley, MA - Award

Meet Nicholas D. Young of Superintendent South Hadley, MA - Intro To The Author

Dr. Nicholas D. Young of South Hadley, former Superintendent of the South Hadley Public School District, worked in diverse educational roles for more than three decades, serving as a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, special education director, graduate professor, graduate program director, graduate dean, and long-time superintendent of schools. He was named the Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year; and he completed a distinguished Fulbright program focused on the Japanese educational system through the collegiate level. Dr. Young is the recipient of numerous other honors and recognitions including the General Douglas MacArthur Award for distinguished civilian and military leadership and the Vice Admiral John T. Hayward Award for exemplary scholarship. He holds several graduate degrees including a PhD in educational administration and an EdD in educational psychology. 

Dr. Young served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves combined for over 36 years; and he graduated with distinction from the U.S. Air War College, the U.S. Army War College, and the U.S. Navy War College. After completing a series of senior leadership assignments in the U.S. Army Reserves as the commanding officer of the 287th Medical Company (DS), the 405th Area Support Company (DS), the 405th Combat Support Hospital, and the 399th Combat Support Hospital, before he transitioned to his final military position as a faculty instructor at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA. He retired with the rank of Colonel. Dr. Young was awarded three Meritorious Service Medals and the extremely distinguished Legion of Merit for "exceptionally meritorious conduct I the performance of outstanding services and achievement".

Dr. Nicholas Young is perhaps best known as one of the most prodigious writers in education of his generation. He has written many books, book chapters, and/or articles on various topics in education, counseling, and psychology. Some of his most recent books include Maximizing Mental Health (2020) Masculinity in the Making: Managing the Transition to Manhood (2020); The Special Education Toolbox: Supporting Exceptional Teachers, Students, and Families (2019); Sounding the Alarm in the Schoolhouse: Safety, Security and Student Well-Being (2019) along with dozens of other books. He also co-authored several children's books to include the popular series I am Full of Possibilities.