Dr. Lanise Stevenson: Award-Winning Researcher and Education

Dr. Lanise Stevenson’s journey as a researcher is rooted in her commitment to creating educational environments where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered. She is driven by a vision of equity in schools and workplaces, focusing on belonging, family and community engagement, and workplace inclusivity. Her personal experiences as a Gifted and Talented student in Baltimore City, juxtaposed with her professional journey, have profoundly shaped her approach. She witnessed the inequalities in school access and, through her research, aims to address these disparities to ensure no student feels isolated or unheard in their learning journey.

Dr. Lanise’s work is guided by values that emphasize equity, inclusivity, and practical change. Her own schooling experience, where a negative encounter with a high school math teacher dropped her GPA from 4.0 to 2.1, taught her the critical impact of a student’s sense of belonging on their academic and emotional well-being. She resolved to make a difference in the lives of students, especially those who, like her, had faced barriers to connection and opportunity in the education system. Today, her values drive her research in school belonging, workplace engagement, and cultural responsiveness, and she strives to ensure that every learner and educator has access to an empowering, inclusive environment.

With world-class training from Johns Hopkins University, the nation’s first research institution, Dr. Lanise has become a leader in her field, receiving one of the highest honors for her community-focused work—the CARing Award. Her prestigious background includes a wealth of experience conducting studies in education and small business, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); employee productivity; and organizational culture. Her research excellence has been recognized at prominent conferences, such as the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA), and the Association of Latino Administrators & Supervisors (ALAS).

Dr. Lanise’s research is both innovative and impactful, addressing critical issues in the field of education. Her studies have uncovered the first statistically significant differences in school belonging between traditionally marginalized students and their peers, highlighting the urgent need for equity in schools. She has conducted extensive studies across seven states, focusing on factors like family and community engagement, transformational leadership, early childhood readiness, and culturally responsive practices.

Through these studies, Dr. Lanise has helped school districts develop evidence-based policies, robust family engagement programs, and differentiated initiatives to address the needs of diverse stakeholders. Her most recent 18-month equity study identified key factors contributing to school belonging, leading to systemic changes in policy and curriculum that support both students and families in building lasting connections within their school communities.

For the past seven years, Dr. Lanise has provided transformational coaching to executive school leaders, helping them navigate complex systems change. Through her coaching programs, she equips school leaders with the resources and strategies needed to implement initiatives with fidelity, proactively addressing the challenges stakeholders face. Her approach empowers leaders to build systems that promote equitable practices, cultural responsiveness, and meaningful engagement, ensuring that these initiatives are sustainable and deeply impactful.

Dr. Lanise’s work does not stop at research; she actively applies her findings to create meaningful, practical change. She has developed a five-year program for school districts to train educators, leaders, students, and families on culturally responsive practices. With over 200 hours of professional learning content, monthly articles on current educational issues, and a groundbreaking curriculum overhaul project, Dr. Lanise is transforming how educators approach teaching and learning.

Her innovative approach involves “crowd-designing” curriculum, in which teachers who have completed her five-year Culturally and Linguistically Responsive (CLR) program contribute to a districtwide lesson portal, creating a collaborative, inclusive resource for educators across all subjects and grade levels. This model empowers teachers to take ownership of their instruction and adapt lessons to meet the needs of all students, further promoting a culture of inclusivity and collaboration.

Dr. Lanise is highly engaged in the educational community, contributing to professional organizations and leadership councils. She is a member of the American Educational Research Association, serves on Johns Hopkins University’s Sustainability Leadership Council, Center for Social Concern, Security Leadership Council, Diversity Leadership Council, and COVID Leadership Council, and holds adjunct professor status in the School of Education. As a Carnegie Fellow at the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, she continues to influence educational policy and best practices on a national level.

Additionally, Dr. Lanise periodically shares her research findings with university leaders at prestigious institutions, including the Maryland Initiative for Literacy & Equity (MILE). Through these engagements, she advises on strategies to expand opportunities and foster better environments for minoritized students, faculty, and staff, advocating for inclusive policies that support long-term engagement and success for all members of the academic community.

Dr. Lanise’s dedication to social justice extends beyond academia; she is producing a documentary on Baltimore’s Freedom Fighters, addressing systemic issues like prison reform, housing injustice, and food insecurity. Her documentary will be paired with a Civics unit curriculum for middle and high school students, bringing local social justice efforts into the classroom.

Dr. Lanise Stevenson’s work as an award-winning researcher, educator, and advocate has transformed countless lives. Her research continues to influence policies, inspire change, and foster environments where every person feels connected and valued. 

Contact her today to learn more about Dr. Lanise’s groundbreaking research or explore how her expertise can support your organization’s goals in educational equity, belonging, and cultural responsiveness. 

Discover how her passion for equity and her evidence-based solutions can create lasting impact in your community, school, or organization.