Since 2005, she has been an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Southern Connecticut State University. She also is an Executive Consultant for AASA’s Center for System Leadership, consults for ABC Education Consultants on curriculum development, and continues to publish national articles and present to state, regional and national audiences.  

Throughout her career, Mary Jo has been the recipient of numerous honors and distinctions, including becoming the first woman Rotarian in Connecticut, receiving awards from the Connecticut Art Educators Association and the Connecticut Council for Exceptional Children, and being honored by Rosalyn Carter for her work in early childhood education. She led the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York’s 2003 Educators Delegation to Japan and participated in the 2004 Commissioner’s Delegation to China. She also was a Policy Fellow with the Institute for Educational Leadership and received a Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Fellowship for Leadership in Community Education.  

Kramer earned her doctorate from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and later was elected to its Alumni Council. Her leadership roles in state, regional and national organizations include chairing the superintendents State Assessment Committee, being a founder of the Connecticut Superintendents Network and the Northeast Superintendents Leadership Councils Women’s Network, and serving on the American Association of School Administrators Platform and Resolutions Committee. She also served on the Executive Committee of the United Way of Connecticut Board, as well as many state panels and commissions.