Research Interests

• Leadership Studies  
• Social Justice and Education
• Multicultural and Antiracist Education
• Children’s and Young Adult Literature and Social Justice
• Qualitative Research 

Biography

Michael Raffanti has a varied professional background in education and social justice. A California native, he completed his Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy at the University of Portland, and his Juris Doctor at Boston College Law School. He also holds a master’s degree from The Evergreen State College where he focused on multicultural education. He earned his Doctor of Education degree in Leadership and Change from Fielding Graduate University. Michael became interested in an educational career while practicing poverty law in San Francisco. He has taught third grade in urban settings and served in a variety of educational leadership roles. Michael has online and low residency university teaching and administrative experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. His research interests are in leadership studies, qualitative methodologies, teaching for social justice, and multicultural and antiracist education. He is currently dean of Antioch University’s School of Education and founding director of the Doctor of Education Program. Previously, he served as dean of the PhD Program in Interdisciplinary Studies at Union Institute & University and currently serves the joint role of Dean of Education and Director of Antioch University’s EdD in Educational and Professional Practice. Michael lives in the Seattle area and is active in animal rescue efforts in Mexico and the Pacific Northwest. 

Education

Ed.D. Leadership and Change, Fielding Graduate University, 2005 Dissertation: Weathering Change: A Grounded Theory of Organizations in Flux  

M.A. Literature & Writing, Union Institute & University, 2012 Thesis: Challenging Heteronormativity: LGBTQ Young Adult Fiction  

M.I.T. Teaching Native American Learners, The Evergreen State College, 2000 Thesis: Family Involvement and the Self-Enhancement of Native Americans  

J.D. Boston College Law School, 1989 B.A. Philosophy and History, University of Portland, 1983