Sonya Douglass

Sonya Douglass, Ed.D., is a Professor of Education Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. She holds dual roles as Founding Director of the Black Education Research Collective and Co-Director of the Urban Education Leaders Program (UELP). Her work focuses on racial inequality in U.S. K-12 schools, leadership for equity, and critical race theory. She has affiliations with the Organization & Leadership department and contributes to TC’s broader education initiatives.

Education:

• EdD in Educational Leadership, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• MPA in Public Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• BA in Communications and Journalism (cum laude), Colorado State University

Research Interests: Dr. Douglass examines how race is conceptualized in educational leadership, school segregation/desegregation, and Black women’s leadership. Her work bridges policy analysis with community advocacy, emphasizing racial literacy and historical legacies of segregation. Recent focus areas include anti-CRT policies, pandemic equity challenges, and Black teacher recruitment.

Awards:

• 2013 Critics’ Choice Award (American Educational Studies Association) for Learning in a Burning House

Advocacy & Leadership: Her scholarship critiques systemic racism in education systems and advocates for community-driven solutions. She has led initiatives like the Las Vegas Promise Neighborhood project and contributed to Nevada’s education policy analysis. Her work emphasizes bridging racial divides through culturally responsive leadership frameworks.

Teams/Labs: Directs the Black Education Research Collective, fostering scholarship on Black educational experiences, and co-leads UELP to train urban education leaders.