Building Faculty’s Capacity Using an Equity Centered Principal Preparation Self-Study Toolkit

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Authors

  • Dr. Maria de Lourdes Viloria Texas A&M
  • Dr. Cynthia Gallardo Texas A&M International
  • Dr. Lina de la Garza Texas A&M International
  • Dr. Ricardo Lozano Texas A&M International

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59719/txep.v9i1.61

Keywords:

educational, leadership, programmatic, improvement, self-assessment

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present one fully online principal preparation program’s faculty engagement in using the Education Development Center’s (EDC) Quality Measures™ (QM) to conduct a self-study entitled—Quality Measures: Principal Preparation Program Self-Study Toolkit, 12th Edition—with support from The Wallace Foundation and the Quality Measures Center (QM Center), which prioritized the programmatic self-study of course work, alignment, and content. QM rubrics were utilized to review and analyze the principal preparation program, focused on evidence-based self-assessment, collaboration, and planning which contributed to the faculty’s capacity building. This engaging, cohort-based process allowed faculty to evaluate the program and work on improvements for the principal preparation program, to address overall program success, and to assist current and future candidates obtaining a principal certificate.

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Author Biographies

Dr. Maria de Lourdes Viloria, Texas A&M

Dr. Maria de Lourdes Viloria is an associate professor in the College of Education at Texas A&M International University. She completed her doctorate degree at Texas A&M University at College Station in Educational Administration. Her primary research interests are place-based perspectives on educational leadership, rural education, STEM educational pathways for underserved students, and third generation Mexican American teachers. She initiated her career as an EC-5th school administrator in South Texas. Dr. Viloria is the PI for the Charles Butt Foundation Grant.  Dr. Viloria is currently the PI for the National Science Foundation Grant – Building Academic Success Early in STEM (BASE), $299,000. Dr. Viloria completed her Co-PI role for a $400,000.00 collaborative grant with Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity, TAMIU and Laredo ISD.  Recently completed her role as PI for the USDA PD STEP into the STEM Field grant ($150,000.00) which provided professional development training to rural school secondary teachers in the areas of agricultural-math and science. Her educational purpose is to develop well-prepared teachers who are committed to ongoing learning, and educational equity.

Dr. Viloria has been a strong supporter and mentor of underrepresented students attending Texas A&M International and pursuing a STEM degree.  She has served as faculty mentor in the following programs Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP)- 2014-2018, Title V - Building Scholars a partnership between Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and Laredo College (LC) to increase the number of Hispanic and low-income students attaining post-secondary certifications, associate and bachelor’s degrees from 2018-2021, the U. S. Department of Education TRiO mentor, the TRiO Program provides opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements, and motivates students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education  2018-Present.

 

Dr. Cynthia Gallardo, Texas A&M International

Dr. Cynthia Angélica Gallardo is an Assistant Professor of Educational Administration at Texas A&M International University. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University-Kingsville with a Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership, a certification in Principal as Instructional Leader EC-12th, and acquired the Graduate Studies Distinguished Student Award upon graduation. She holds a master’s in health science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a certification in Health Disparities and Health Inequalities from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She was part of the D.D. Hachar Honors Program and has a double major in Biology and Psychology from Texas A&M International University.  She previously served as a dual enrollment science educator, a college science adjunct instructor, and as a science teacher. In her capacity as a science teacher, she has certifications in science 8-12th Science and in English as a Second Language. Her experience in working with students of diverse populations have enabled her to avidly work with administrators, all student populations, and stakeholders to achieve student success and in that of educational administration research.

Dr. Lina de la Garza, Texas A&M International

Dr. Lina Marie De La Garza is an assistant professor at Texas A&M International University's College of Education with expertise in educational leadership, technology integration, and curriculum development. With a doctorate from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and post-graduate training in Data Science and Business Analytics from the University of Texas at Austin and the Association of College and University Educators, she leverages her academic qualifications to advance pedagogical approaches and student learning outcomes. She has been published in Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership, Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, and International Journal of e-Collaboration. Her research focuses on artificial intelligence in education, digital capacity building, empathetic leadership, and global education—areas critical to addressing today's evolving educational landscape. Dr. De La Garza's grant administration experience at both two-year and four-year institutions, combined with her work building postsecondary student success and supporting STEM initiatives, positions her as a valuable contributor to educational research. Her professional affiliations with organizations including CIES, TCEA, TxDLA, Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Nu chapter and active involvement in The Climate Reality Project Leadership Corps and Rotary of Laredo Under Seven Flags demonstrate her commitment to educational advancement and community service. Dr. De La Garza's current research makes significant contributions to the field by addressing principal preparation and sustainability in education while exploring the integration of emerging technologies in teaching and learning practices.

Dr. Ricardo Lozano, Texas A&M International

Dr. Ricardo Lozano is an associate professor of educational leadership with the college of education at Texas A&M International University. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a PhD in Educational Administration. He also holds a MEd in Curriculum Development and Instruction from Concordia University Texas, and completed a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Dr. Lozano’s research has been featured in conferences and publications in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. His research focuses on meeting the needs of all students through effective policy making, leadership development, and culturally-relevant teaching.

 

In addition to his experience teaching and conducting research in the United States, Dr. Lozano has served as a professor of educational sciences at Yeditepe University in Turkey, and as a director of graduate studies in education and humanities at University of Monterrey in Mexico. These experiences, among others, have established him as an expert in international education, and have granted him a unique sensitivity to multicultural contexts. Dr. Lozano possesses a unique awareness of the needs of underrepresented, low-income individuals facing new and challenging situations.

 

As a result of his noteworthy international experience, Dr. Lozano has also become a specialist in the field of comparative education. His experiences have resulted in a keen eye for detail and an ability to critically analyze educational practices, and to provide insightful recommendations for the enhancement of educational policies and adaptive leadership and teaching.

 

 

 

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Published

2025-09-05

How to Cite

Viloria, M. de L., Gallardo, C., de la Garza, L., & Lozano, R. (2025). Building Faculty’s Capacity Using an Equity Centered Principal Preparation Self-Study Toolkit: none. Texas Educator Preparation, 9(1), 44–53. https://doi.org/10.59719/txep.v9i1.61

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2025): TxEP: Texas Educator Preparation

Section

Articles