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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ed.D.
Department
Educational Leadership and Policy
First Advisor
Sarah Lenhoff
Abstract
This study examines the role of Equity Administrators (EAs) as equity leaders within schools and their capacity to drive systemic change. It explores how transformative leadership practices either facilitate or hinder EAs' work and how these practices can be implemented in their daily responsibilities. While the presence of Equity leaders in schools has increased, limited research exists on how EAs engage with transformative leadership and its impact on fostering lasting change. This study underscores the need for further research into the EAs’ role in promoting school improvement, particularly in the post-2020 period, when many schools established equity-focused positions following the murder of George Floyd and the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research investigates how EAs perceive their roles and align them with Transformative Leadership Theory (TLT). The study addresses key questions, including how current EA practices align with TLT, the factors that facilitate or disrupt their work, and the primary obstacles they face. By examining the experiences of EAs across several school districts within the same county, this research identifies barriers and successes in implementing equity initiatives. The study aims to contribute to the literature on how transformative leadership can be institutionalized and sustained in schools, fostering systemic change that benefits marginalized communities. Four themes emerged from the data: “The Four Ls”—lack of mentorship, loneliness of leadership, limited reach and focus, and the aspirational goal of liberation. These themes highlight critical challenges that influence EAs’ self-efficacy and offer valuable insights for EAs' supervisors in fostering collaboration to reshape the EA role.
Recommended Citation
Cureton, Michelle Lynn, "Reneging On The Promise: The Institutionalization Of The Equity Administrator In Public And Private Schools (george Floyd And Beyond)" (2025). Wayne State University Dissertations. 4196.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/4196