About the Lab

The Superintendent Lab is the central hub for data, research,

insights, and innovation on the school district superintendency.

Pillars guiding the work of the Superintendent Lab

Revealing

The Superintendent Lab aims to lift the veil on the superintendency through the development of rigorous and robust datasets. We are the home of The National Longitudinal Superintendent Database–a comprehensive database, updated on an annual basis, of over 12,500 superintendents across the United States, allowing us to explore issues related to superintendent labor markets over time and space.

We seek out collaborative partnerships with researchers and affiliates that are interested in data-driven dialogue to advance policies and practices that contribute to more equitable public school systems.

Humanizing

Behind all of the data that we collect and analyze are human beings. We aim to conduct research that is authentic and respectful of superintendents and the work they do. We embrace the power of big data and case studies—numbers as well as narratives.

While incorporating innovative technologies like artificial intelligence and web scraping, we recognize the importance of human interactions and strive to engage with the data with attentiveness to the personal and professional lives behind each data point.

Training

The Superintendent Lab strives to provide students at all levels with meaningful and rigorous research experiences through the development and improvement of big datasets and opportunities to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data.

We aim to foster collaborative dialogue among policy- and leadership-passionate undergraduate and graduate students and researchers to identify levers for change to create more inclusive, equitable public K-12 education systems.

Meet the team

Dr. Rachel S. White

Founder & Lead Researcher

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.

rachel.white

@austin.utexas.edu

LinkedIn Profile

UT Austin Faculty Page

Research Team

Michael Uzoigwe

Research Assistant

Michael is in a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Mathematics and pursuing double certificates in Computer Science and Data Science. He has remained working with The Superintendent post-graduation and is currently pursuing graduate school for statistics, with the goal of pursuing a career as a data scientist. For fun Michael enjoys hanging out with family and friends, watching movies, and discovering new music.

Karylle Pernito

Research Assistant

Karylle is a fourt-year student at the University of Texas at Austin, double-majoring in Human Development & Family Sciences and Sociology, with a certificate in Children & Public Policy. She is the co-president of TXHDFS and a volunteer coordinator for SEAL UT. Passionate about education equity, Karylle has worked with Breakthrough Central Texas as a Research & Policy Intern and Advocacy Fellow. After graduation, she plans to attend law school with hopes of entering the public policy field. In her free time, she enjoys reading and trying various crafts to varying degrees of success.

Elizabeth Aritonang

Research Assistant

Elizabeth is a doctoral student in Education Policy and Planning at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include the politics of K-12 school finance, particularly with the development of equitable formulas and the role of state legislatures in the implementation of school finance reform. Prior to attending UT Austin, Elizabeth worked for the New York State Assembly Ways and Means committee as the Senior Legislative Budget Analyst, working primarily on elementary and secondary education, as well as state public libraries.

Jessie Alvear

Research Assistant

Jessie is a sophomore Psychology major at the University of Texas at Austin. She serves as the Vice President of Texas Horizons and is deeply passionate about psychiatry. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school with the goal of becoming a psychiatrist. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her corgi, Bowie.

LAB AFFILIATES

Dr. Wilfred Cwikiel

Research Affiliate - Superintendent

Wilfred Cwikiel, Ed. D., is the superintendent-principal of Beaver Island Community School, one of the most remote rural school districts in the contiguous United States. He has served public schools as a middle school principal, teacher, elected school board member, and mentor for aspiring and new superintendents. Before his career in education, he worked in natural resources management, planning, and policy in the non-profit and governmental sectors. Wil serves on statewide advisory committees and boards of non-profit organizations. He received the Kellogg National Fellowship, where he explored citizen engagement and leadership. Cwikiel’s research interests include rural school leadership, superintendent retention, and equity and inclusion in rural spaces.

Heather Huzefka

Research Affiliate - Former Central Office Administrator

Heather recently received her PhD from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Heather’s extensive career in public education includes years as a middle school teacher, elementary principal, and HR director. Her vast experience as a district-level administrator served as the foundation for Heather’s interest in learning more about the impact of superintendent turnover on district-level leaders and has become the topic for her dissertation. In addition to her research, Heather is involved in developing Civic Saturday events for her community; a growing program developed with the belief that we all have the ability to make positive changes in our communities. In her free time, Heather enjoys getting to the Oregon coast where every day is enjoyable no matter the weather. She claims any day walking on the beach is a good day!