Ericka Roland

Ericka Roland is an Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington in the Department of Higher Education, Adult Learning & Organizational Studies, where she has been employed since June 2020. Prior to this role, she held positions at the University of Texas at Austin, including Assistant Professor of Practice and Post-Doctoral Research Scholar. She holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida (2018), an MS in College Student Personnel from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (2011), and a BS in Physical Education from the University of West Florida (2009). A graduate certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies (2018-present) further informs her work.

Her research focuses on diversity, equity, and justice (DEJ) in U.S. postsecondary education, with specific interests in DEJ's impact on teaching/learning approaches, leadership development, and organizational engagement around DEJ. She employs qualitative methodologies and Black feminist theoretical frameworks to explore these areas. Current research projects include a National Science Foundation-funded study on intersectional AI education for Black girls and a UTA Research Enhancement Program grant on anti-racist methodologies.

• Key research themes include critical leadership development, mentorship, and intersectionality in educational leadership.
• Recent publications address anti-racist frameworks, co-teaching challenges, and social justice in doctoral education.

Scientific awards include:

• Outstanding Faculty Advisor: Graduate Runner Up (UTA, 2023)
• Doctoral Mentorship Award (UTA, 2023)
• ELPS Pre-Tenure Faculty Excellence in Research Award (College of Education, 2021)

She serves as a Dissertation Committee Chair for multiple students and holds editorial/reviewer roles for journals like the Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice. Her grants include a $493,900 NSF collaborative research grant and a $10,000 UTA REP grant.