Rachel White

Dr. White is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research centers around issues of power, voice, diversity, and politics in education policy making spaces. She primarily employs mixed methodological approaches to provide a more comprehensive understanding of (1) superintendent labor market patterns and inequities, (2) superintendents’ perceptions and enactment of their role as policy and political leaders, and (3) district-level levers of influence to advance equitable educational opportunity through district policy, resource allocation, and leaders’ nimble navigation of politically contentious topics and contexts.

Dr. White is a former local school board member/vice president and assistant high school cross country and track & field coach. She also previously served as a policy analyst for the Michigan Association for School Administrators and as the Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy for The Ohio College Access Network.

In her free time, Dr. White enjoys hiking, playing basketball, hot yoga, running, traveling, reading, and following her favorite college sports teams. 

Read more about Dr. White’s research, as well as her public outreach and speaking/workshop engagements here.