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Open Access CC BY-NC-ND V4.0
Dissertation
FACILITATIONS AND BARRIERS TO YOUTH OF COLOR IN LEADERSHIP ROLES: “GIVE THEM POWER”
Doctor of Education (EdD), Washington State University
2026
Abstract
Youth of color are frequently invited into educational decision-making through “student voice” initiatives; however, their leadership is often tokenized, constrained, or dismissed within adult-centered systems. This qualitative dissertation examines how youth of color experience leadership in schools and communities, what supports and barriers shape their leadership development, and how they envision themselves as leaders. Grounded in Critical Race Theory and centered on youth counternarratives, this study draws on semi-structured interviews with five youth leaders of color, ages 15–22, who hold leadership roles in school districts, community organizations, and a regional youth leadership initiative. Findings reveal four interconnected themes: youth leadership development and identity, leadership as collectivism, adult–youth partnership dynamics, and structural and systemic supports and barriers. Youth leadership emerged as relational, community-centered, and action-oriented, challenging dominant individualistic and adultist leadership models. Authentic leadership was supported when adults shared power, followed through, and honored youth expertise, while adultism, racism, tokenism, and hierarchical structures functioned as persistent barriers. This research positions youthleadership as educational leadership and highlights youth of color as present-tense agents of systemic change.
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Details
- Title
- FACILITATIONS AND BARRIERS TO YOUTH OF COLOR IN LEADERSHIP ROLES: “GIVE THEM POWER”
- Creators
- Erin Elizabeth Herda
- Contributors
- Katherine Rodela (Advisor)Sharon Kruse (Committee Member)Shannon Calderone (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Educational Leadership, Sport Studies, and Educational/Counseling Psychology
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Education (EdD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 150
- Identifiers
- 99901393304601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation