Prior to joining Educational Psychology, Leadership and Higher Education in 2022, Assistant Professor LeAnne Salazar Montoya was an educator and public servant in Northern New Mexico for 20 years. She has an associate's degree in liberal arts, a bachelor of science degree in education with a minor in social studies and a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of New Mexico, and a master's degree  in education/special education from New Mexico State University. She completed her doctorate at New Mexico State University in educational leadership with a minor in sociology.

Salazar Montoya has significant experience as an educator serving as a district leader, administrator, teacher and author. Her professional background includes involvement in many professional organizations, including ALAS, where she graduated from the Superintendent Leadership Academy and the AASA Latina/o Aspiring Superintendent Academy. She also serves on the national education council for Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society and she serves on a number of other local and regional non-profit boards.

During her doctoral studies and beyond LeAnne has had numerous research and academic opportunities that have impacted her research interests and instruction. Stemming from her work with Dr. Kristen Kew (NMSU) her research interests include women and the superintendency and women in leadership and diversifying leadership in our K12 schools. Her work with teachers/principals and other school leaders throughout the four corners continue to drive her interests and to inform her research focus. Salazar-Montoya has published in the Journal for Research in Education and presented at numerous conferences and research events throughout the country.

As an assistant professor, she prepares and supports aspiring school leaders as they study and prepare to take on school leadership positions. She leverages her past experiences and networks to help students increase their organizational effectiveness and efficiency and ensure high performance and support to schools.

(She/Her/Hers)