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About the Leadership, Equity and Inquiry Doctoral Program

The Leadership, Equity and Inquiry, Ed.D. is housed in the Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education. The program: 

• Prepares scholar-practitioners on a path to examine the dynamics of leadership, organizational change and management
• Engages deeply with the processes of policy formation and analysis
• Examines the critical role of economics and finance in shaping urban development and educational equity
• Reflects on key problems of practice, and the social and structural elements that undergird these via an interdisciplinary study of Chicago, its communities and institutions.  

About the Program’s Founding Director

In 2021, Dr. Kamau Rashid became the Founding Director of the Ed.D. in Leadership, Equity and Inquiry at ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï. He earned a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an M.A. in Inner City Studies from ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Rashid served on the faculty of National Louis University from 2009-2021 and taught classes in the social foundations of education and public policy, as well as advised doctoral students. In 2015 and 2016, he was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana. He is active in a number of initiatives related to food sovereignty and community/youth development.

Kamau Rashid, Ph.D.
Founding Director of the Leadership, Equity and Inquiry Ed.D. program

About the Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education

ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï’s Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education empowers future teachers, counselors, leaders and health professionals to transform lives and communities. Since our founding in 1867 as Chicago’s first teacher education institution, we’ve been shaping equity-minded educators who champion diversity and excellence. Today, our vibrant student body reflects the communities you’ll serve.

Education that Works

Scholar-practitioners enter a program cohort in the fall semester and continue through the program until completion.

Fast facts:

• The inaugural cohort begins in the Fall 2026 semester
• The curriculum is 60 credit hours comprised of seminars, research method and core competency courses, as well as electives and dissertation
• The key benchmarks include: doctoral coursework, portfolio assessment and dissertation-in-practice

The framework hones in on a variety of research methods to focus on and address challenges faced in practice. Scholar-practitioner outcomes include the development of key analytical and methodological tools needed to improve the lives and life chances of those impacted by their work.

At the completion of the doctoral program, scholar-practitioners will be able to:

• Lead with Vision and Integrity: Design and implement transformative leadership practices that center equity, inclusion, and social justice across educational and organizational systems.
• Advance Equity-Driven Change: Identify and dismantle structural inequities through critical analysis, inclusive policy development, and culturally responsive practices.
• Engage in Rigorous Inquiry: Utilize advanced qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research to investigate complex educational issues and drive data-informed decision-making.
• Translate Theory into Practice: Bridge scholarly research and real-world application to create impactful, sustainable solutions within diverse educational and community settings.
• Foster Collaborative and Inclusive Communities: Cultivate partnerships with students, families, educators, and community stakeholders to co-create equitable learning environments.
• Advocate for Systemic Reform: Influence policy and practice at the local, regional, or national level through strategic leadership, ethical advocacy, and informed civic engagement.