UCEA Mission

UCEA is a consortium of university-based, preK-12 leadership preparation programs committed to supporting educational organizations in advancing equity and excellence. As a community of researchers, faculty, and practitioners, we are dedicated to the improvement of preK-12 educational leadership, policy, and organizations, including conducting and disseminating research that benefits schools, communities, and society.

UCEA aims to positively impact preK-12 schooling by

• Promoting, sponsoring, and disseminating research in educational leadership, policy, and equity/social justice in preK-12 systems and schools
• Engaging systems, schools, and communities as active partners in research on authentic problems of practice
• Generating new professional, academic, and community-based knowledges that advance the field of educational leadership
• Improving the preparation and development of preK-12 educational leaders.
• Strengthening the pathways and development of researchers and faculty in the field of preK-12 educational leadership, policy, and organizations
• Influencing national, state, and local policy through advocacy and collaboration with educational organizations
• Assessing our practices and policies as part of a culture of continuous improvement to strive to be effective and relevant to research and practice in preK-12 settings.
• Creating an expansive environment that welcomes diverse perspectives, research methods, and persons within UCEA

UCEA is a community of researchers who value:

• The academic, social, cultural, and mental well-being of every student
• The importance and practical application of diversity, equity, and social justice—for students, faculty, and school leaders—in educational organizations
• Inquiry that is relevant, ethical, responsive, and purposeful, that reflects consistently high standards
• The preparation of high-quality, equity-centered school leaders, graduate students, and faculty in educational leadership.
• The improvement of educational leadership and systems through the application of high standards and professional practice of exceptional quality
• Use and continuous development of various research paradigms to address questions that contribute to the social good
• Scholars and practitioners grounded in critical conversations and diverse perspectives for the growth of the individual, organization, the field, and society
• Substantive goal-oriented collaboration between/among UCEA member institutions and between our organization and schools, educational and service agencies, and professional organizations
• The efforts of educational and community leaders to advance systemic and equitable change

Equity Statement

With respect for the diversity that comprises our community and acknowledging systems of power that do not grant access equally, we recognize that equity is crucial to the long-term viability of the organization and the educational leadership profession.

We design and implement policies and practices that ensure that all people—including but not limited to those who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, LGBTQIA+, socioeconomic status, geography, place, citizenship status, or religion—are both represented and treated fairly. In particular, we seek to examine and improve our practices and advance the rights of those who have been marginalized and underrepresented within the organization.

UCEA strives to create a thriving community where all members of the organization are included, respected, and nurtured. We actively address the hierarchies embedded in higher education structures and our own membership. We work in ways that improve access to opportunities, programs, financial resources, and information is equitable.