Pronouns: she/her/ella
Education: BA Philosophy and History, Seattle University; Ph.D. in Anthropology of Education, Stanford University
Occupation: Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
About: Everything Dr. Katherine Rodela chooses to do is about promoting equity and justice in education for marginalized communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Latinx, Asian/Asian American, Middle Eastern, Multiracial, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and low-income youth, families, and community members. As a third-generation Mexican American and first-generation college student, she is committed to being a community-engaged scholar, whose work advances educational equity, culturally responsive education, and spaces of belonging for all. Her work has been inspired by her years as a high school teacher and work with diverse parents and community leaders of color in the Pacific Northwest. More recently, she has engaged in community organizing efforts as a parent leader and adult ally in youth organizing work in her local community and school district– walking alongside youth and family leaders causing “good trouble” for educational change and justice.
As a professor at Washington State University since 2014, she teaches courses related to equity, social justice leadership, and inclusion of diverse communities, families, and students in K-12 schools, in WSU’s Administrative Credential, Masters, and Doctoral Programs. Her research centers around the concept of leadership for equity and justice, and includes three lines of qualitative research: (1) diversifying the educational leadership pathways in PK-12 education, (2) developing equity-focused school and district leaders, and (3) uplifting and centering the leadership of marginalized families and communities.
When not engaged in education or community organizing, Katherine is hanging out playing golf with her 13-year-old son and husband. They love traveling and enjoying good food and music, including their annual trip to the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, where she and her husband met over 18 years ago!
