Dr. Deborah R. Higdon
Father Engagement Specialist · Author · Educator
Dr. Deborah R. Higdon has devoted her career to one powerful mission: turning the hearts of fathers back to their children. Her decades-long journey through education — from classroom to principal’s office to central administration — revealed a consistent gap that no one was addressing head-on: the absence of fathers in schools.
Rather than accepting this as inevitable, Dr. Higdon set out to understand it, address it, and ultimately transform it — through research, relationship-building, and relentless advocacy for father engagement. Her work now also extends internationally through virtual instruction and mentoring for educators in Ghana, alongside her continued work in higher education and educational leadership.
• Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership
• Author, The Dad Difference (ISTE & ASCD)
• Retired Principal, PreK–12 & Central Office Administration
• Adjunct Professor, Montgomery College
• International Virtual Instructor & Mentor, Ghana Teacher Training Initiative
• Member, National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE)
Honors & Awards
Black Leaders Worldwide 2026 Women to Watch Award
2026
National Society of Leadership and Success: Bowie State University
2017
Montgomery County Public School Junior Council’s Principal of the Year Award
2016
Nancy C. Walker School Library Media Program Principal of the Year Award
2014
Nominated for MCAAP Principal of the Year
2013
Governor’s Citation for completion of the Maryland Principals’ Academy
2011
Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Awardee
2004
National EMAF School and Business Partnership Award
2002
Hero in Education for Outstanding Partnership Award
2001
Speaking & Presentations
Dr. Higdon has presented nationally and internationally on father engagement, educational leadership, family partnerships, and equity in education.
National Head Start Conference — Changing the Narrative: Engaging Fathers in Their Children’s Schools
Baltimore, Maryland | 2022, 2023, 2026
ASCD Annual Conference — The Dad Difference: How and Why to Invite Fathers Into Your School
2023, 2025, 2026
International Educator’s Summit — From Invisible to Visible: Engaging Fathers in Their Children’s Schools
Ghana, Africa | 2025
The BOND Academy Annual Conference — The Dad Difference: How and Why to Invite Fathers Into Your School
2023–2026
Annual Families and Fathers National Conference — Changing the Narrative: Engaging Fathers in Their Children’s Schools
Los Angeles, California | 2022–2025
Family Engagement Symposium — The Dad Difference: How and Why to Invite Fathers Into Your School
2026
Focus
We specialize exclusively in father engagement within PreK-12 educational communities.
Expertise
Four decades of leadership experience guide every strategy and recommendation.
Mission
We turn fathers' hearts toward their children through data-informed, compassionate engagement.
Leading Father Engagement Forward
Based in Clarksburg, Maryland, DRH Media, LLC helps schools, districts, educational organizations, businesses, and community groups strengthen father involvement and family engagement. Led by Dr. Deborah R. Higdon, a respected educational leader, author, and father engagement specialist, the organization brings decades of educational experience to every project. Through consulting, professional development, educational resources, and outreach initiatives, DRH Media helps organizations create meaningful opportunities for fathers to become active participants in their children's lives.
Organizations throughout Maryland and across the country value the practical guidance, professional insight, and real-world experience that DRH Media provides. Many educational leaders recognize that father engagement can be challenging to improve without a clear strategy, which is why they seek support from a specialist who understands both the educational system and the importance of family-school partnerships. Every engagement is focused on helping organizations build stronger relationships that positively impact children, families, and communities.
A Mission That Matters
DRH Media exists to help turn the hearts of fathers back to their children by encouraging meaningful involvement at home, in schools, and throughout the community. The organization believes that fathers play a critical role in student achievement, personal development, and family stability. When fathers are engaged, children often experience stronger support systems, increased confidence, and greater opportunities for success.
This mission guides every consultation, training session, workshop, and educational resource developed by DRH Media. By helping schools and organizations create father-friendly environments and engagement opportunities, the goal is to foster lasting relationships that benefit children today and strengthen families for years to come. Through education, collaboration, and outreach, DRH Media helps organizations transform good intentions into meaningful action.
Leadership, Education & Global Impact
What makes DRH Media different is the combination of specialized father engagement expertise and extensive educational leadership experience. Dr. Deborah R. Higdon has served as a PreK–12 principal, central office administrator, adjunct professor, and author of The Dad Difference: How and Why to Invite Fathers Into Your School. Her background also includes consulting, higher education, and international teacher training, bringing decades of experience in educational leadership, father engagement, and equity-focused work. This unique perspective provides valuable insight into the challenges schools and organizations face when working to increase father participation.
Clients often appreciate the practical, straightforward approach that focuses on strategies they can implement and sustain. Rather than relying on theory alone, DRH Media draws from years of firsthand experience working with educators, families, and community stakeholders. Membership in the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) further reflects an ongoing focus on effective engagement practices. Organizations that work with DRH Media gain access to proven knowledge, professional guidance, and resources designed to help fathers become more active and involved in the lives of their children.