Prof. LeAnne Salazar Montoya
Prof. LeAnne Salazar Montoya is an Assistant Professor of Educational Policy and Leadership at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where her scholarship explores leadership development, the superintendency, and policy advocacy for historically underrepresented communities. A former superintendent and P–20 educator with over two decades of experience, Dr. Salazar-Montoya brings a practice-to-research lens to her academic work. Her research agenda centers on Latina leadership, mentorship, and the systemic challenges facing diverse leaders in the educational pipeline. Dr. Salazar-Montoya is the author or co-author of more than 35 peer-reviewed publications, including journal articles in the Seattle Journal for Social Justice, Frontiers in Education, and the Journal of Texas Women School Executives. Her scholarship also includes multiple book chapters, encyclopedia entries, and editorial leadership on academic texts such as Pursuing Equity and Success for Marginalized Educational Leaders and the Radiance series, which amplify voices from the margins through first-person narrative inquiry.
She has delivered over 90 national presentations, including invited keynotes at AERA, ALAS, and Johns Hopkins University, and she is a frequent speaker on authentic leadership, educational equity, and transformational leadership. A recognized leader in the field, Dr. Salazar-Montoya was honored with the 2024 ALAS National Advocacy Award and received the 2025 UNLV Community Service Award. Dr. Salazar-Montoya currently serves in leadership roles within the American Educational Research Association (AERA), including Secretary/Treasurer of the Superintendency SIG and Co-Chair of the DEI committee for the Research on Women in Education SIG. She is also Chair of DEI in the UNLV College of Education and founder of the Linking Latino Leaders of Nevada initiative through the NVEPIC grant. Her work is deeply informed by her New Mexican roots, her commitment to social justice, and her passion for empowering future leaders through research, writing, and mentorship.