Date of Award
2025
Access Restriction
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate in Education
Department
Education
School or College
School of Education
First Advisor
Dolores Delgado Bernal
Second Advisor
Antonio Felix
Third Advisor
Hilda Maldonado
Abstract
The current dissertation examined the leadership of six Latina leaders in the executive role of the superintendency, presenting valuable testimonios (M. A. Martinez et al., 2017) that detail the early educational and familial experiences shaping the Latina superintendents’ journeys to the superintendency. The qualitative study used the community cultural wealth framework (Yosso, 2005) and a feminista perspective grounded in Chicana/Latina feminist epistemology (Delgado Bernal, 1998) and Latina leadership (Bordas, 2013, 2023) to explore the leadership principles employed by the six superintendents. The study revealed three significant findings. First, Latina superintendents’ parents instilled a work ethic of perseverance, hard work, and commitment that shaped their leadership and who the Latina superintendents were as leaders. Second, the Latina superintendents described their leadership around a strong sense of cultural identity, purpose, and commitment to others. Finally, their life experiences enabled them to understand and work to address the needs of the most marginalized students in their districts, particularly Latina/o students. The distinctive voices of the Latina superintendents came to the forefront through their valuable testimonios that revealed their parents served as important role models, instilling in them leadership traits of hard work, perseverance, and commitment to others. The findings indicated the leadership traits significantly influenced their leadership, success, and ascension to the superintendency. The Latina superintendents demonstrated a strong sense of cultural identity and led with a clear purpose, emphasizing equity and educational success for marginalized students, particularly Latina/o students, in their districts. Their lived experiences, along with their family, culture, and language, provided them with valuable insights to understand and address the inequalities and challenges faced by Latina/o students in their education and life, which underscored their deep commitment to ensuring equitable education for Latina/o students. Additionally, the current study’s findings serve as counter narratives to historically oppressive views and stereotypes that have limited Latina access to the executive seat of the superintendency and the significant impact Latina leaders have on marginalized students, communities, and families.
Recommended Citation
Kinn, Marisela, "Latina Triunfadoras: Testimonios and Consejos of Latina Superintendents in California" (2025). LMU Theses and Dissertations. 1341.
https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/1341
