James C. Bridgeforth

Assistant Professor

Dr. James C. Bridgeforth is an assistant professor specializing in educational leadership in the School of Education at the University of Delaware. He is an educator, researcher and policy advocate. His research and teaching focus on community voice in education policy and governance, as well as the politics of educational leadership. His work specifically attends to manifestations of racism and anti-blackness in schools.

Dr. Bridgeforth’s scholarship, recognized by the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowship, has been published in academic journals such as the Journal of School Leadership, Education Policy Analysis Archives, Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, and Educational Administration Quarterly. He has also shared his work in national media outlets including Education Week and The Washington Post. 

Dr. Bridgeforth began his professional experience in education as a college admissions officer and later transitioned to a career in K-12 education as an elementary school teacher and leader. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban Education Policy, an MEd in Educational Administration and Policy and a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology. 

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Urban Education Policy, K-12 Policy Concentration, University of Southern California, Los Angeles,CA, 2023
• M.Ed., Educational Administration and Policy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 2017
• B.A., Political Science and Sociology, Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville,GA, 2013

Professional Experience

• Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Delaware, 2024-present
• Faculty Affiliate, Community Schools Learning Exchange, 2024
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Community Schools Learning Exchange, 2023-2024
• Research Associate, Community Schools Learning Exchange, 2022-2023
• Research Associate, USC Race and Equity Center, 2019-2023
• Research Assistant, USC Center on Education Policy, Equity, and Governance, 2020-2023

Recent Grants

• Bridgeforth, J.C. (Researcher). Renewing the Promise of a Just, Participatory Democracy: A Collaborative
  Research-to-Action Project to Support School Boards. California Community Foundation Grant, 2024-2026. ($50,000)
• Bridgeforth, J.C. (Consultant/Grant Writer). Garden Grove Unified School District California Community Schools Partnership Program Implementation Grant, 2024. ($11,875,000)
• Bridgeforth, J.C. (Co-PI). Teaching in the Wake of Legislative Censorship. University of Southern California (USC) Rossier Dean’s Research Grant, 2022. ($4,200)
  
• Bridgeforth, J.C. (PI). Policies, Procedures, and Performance: A Critical Examination of K-12 School Boards and the Enactment of Racial Crisis Leadership. USC Rossier Dean’s Research Grant, 2022. ($5,000)
• Bridgeforth, J.C. (PI). USC Graduate School Summer Research and Writing Grant, 2022. ($2,000)
• Bridgeforth, J.C. (PI). Navigating Racial Crisis: A Multi-Narrative Inquiry in K-12 School Leadership.USC Rossier Internal Research Grant, 2020 ($1,475)

Recent Professional Awards

• California Education Policy Fellowship, 2023-2024
• National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowship, 2022
• University Council for Educational Administration Barbara Jackson Scholar, 2021-2023
• Just Education Policy Institute Fellow, 2021
• Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship Honorable Mention, 2021