Kathy Schultz

Kathy Schultz is a Professor of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education and affiliated with the Renée Crown Wellness Institute. She previously served as Dean of the School of Education from 2017-2023 and Dean at Mills College (2010-2016). Her academic career includes roles at the University of Pennsylvania, where she founded the Center for Collaborative Research and Practice in Teacher Education. She has held leadership roles in the Philadelphia Writing Project and the Chester Upland School District Empowerment Board.

Education: PhD in Reading, Writing and Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania (1991), MEd in Elementary Education (1978), and BS in Environmental Education from Yale University (1977).

Her research focuses on teacher development strategies for marginalized communities, educational equity, and systemic distrust in reform efforts. Key works include Listening: A framework for teaching across differences (2003) and Distrust and educational change (2019). As a leader in the Education Deans for Justice and Equity, she advocates for equity-focused policies and community solidarity.

Her recent initiatives include rural teacher recruitment in Colorado, online degree programs like the Master’s in Teacher Leadership, and place-based partnerships in Lafayette, Denver, and Northeast Colorado. Her work emphasizes public scholarship and aligning institutional missions with national equity goals.