Leading Through the Margins: The Experiences of Latina Superintendents in California

• In Event: Research In Progress Roundtables Session 4
  In Invited Roundtable: Gender and Race in Education Leadership (Table 5)

Abstract

This study examines the experiences of Latina superintendents in California, focusing on their leadership strategies and challenges within increasingly contentious educational environments. Despite the teaching profession's predominantly female workforce, women hold only 28% of K–12 superintendent roles, with Latinas significantly underrepresented due to systemic inequities. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 10 Latina superintendents, this research explores how their intersecting identities shape their commitment to equity-driven leadership and how they navigate systemic barriers and resistance. Grounded in leadership frameworks emphasizing equity-minded practices, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on intersectional leadership, offering actionable insights for supporting underrepresented leaders in polarized educational contexts. Findings highlight both the vulnerabilities and strengths of Latina superintendents in advancing transformative change.

Author

• Charity Lourdes Castro, University of California - Los Angeles