Sondra Barringer

Dr. Sondra N. Barringer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Policy and Leadership at Southern Methodist University's Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development. She specializes in higher education governance, organizational structure, and institutional relationships with external entities. Her work examines how universities interact with other organizations, focusing on governance, finances, and policy formation.

Education:

• Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology, University of Arizona
• B.A. in Sociology and Economics, Baylor University

Research Interests: Dr. Barringer investigates university-trustee dynamics, interdisciplinary research commitments, institutional privatization, community college mission evolution, and non-instructional staff salary hierarchies. Her recent studies emphasize elite university board connectivity and its impact on institutional behavior.

Key Contributions: Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and numerous educational organizations. Notable projects include a three-year NSF study on university boundaries and behaviors. She has also published widely in journals like Journal of Higher Education and Research Policy.

Teaching: Teaches courses in academic governance, organizational theory, and statistics at the graduate level.

Professional Background: Previously a Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Associate at the University of Georgia’s Institute of Higher Education and has served as project manager for NSF-funded initiatives.