Cassandra Barksdale Stanley, Ed.D.

Education

• Ed.D. in Education Administration and Policy Studies, The George Washington University
• Ed.S. in Education Administration, The George Washington University
• M.S. in Education Administration/Higher Education Concentration, Old Dominion University
• B.S. in Elementary/Middle Education, Old Dominion University

Research interests

Teacher recruitment and retention; principal leadership; equity and diversity.

Career highlights

• More than 25 years in K-12 education as a teacher, principal, and central office administrator
• More than 10 years experience in higher education as an adjunct instructor and curriculum developer

Bio

Cassandra Barksdale Stanley, Ed.D., is the director of the Office of Strategic Engagement at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education. As director, Cassandra’s leadership is central to engaging in collaborative partnerships to meet the needs of diverse learners. She seeks innovative ways to expand professional learning opportunities for educators, including increasing the pipeline of educators who are prepared to serve in urban, rural, and underserved communities. She significantly contributes to the expansion of school and community partnerships and along with her team, facilitates numerous professional learning opportunities for educators related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Cassandra provides exceptional leadership for the Career Switcher Program and for the Innovative Teacher Pipeline Program. Cassandra serves as co-chairperson of the SOE DEI Committee and works tirelessly to advance DEI efforts throughout the unit. In May of 2022, Cassandra was awarded the Inclusive Excellence Award presented by the School of Education.

Cassandra joined the School of Education (SOE) in July of 2019 and spent three years as the assistant director. Prior to her role at VCU, Cassandra spent over 25 years in K-12 education as a teacher, principal and central office administrator. 

A native of Halifax County, Virginia, she completed her undergraduate and graduate work at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Her studies continued at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. where she earned an educational specialist degree and a doctoral degree.