Jessica Heybach

Photo of Jessica Heybach
Jessica Heybach (Jess)
Interim Chair
Office: 
(269) 387-5120
Location: 
3810 Sangren Hall
Mailing address: 
Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5226 USA
Education: 
  • Ed.D., Curriculum Leadership, Northern Illinois University, 2012
  • M.S.Ed., Social Foundations of Education, Northern Illinois University, 2008
  • M.S.Ed., Elementary Education, Northern Illinois University, 2001
  • B.A., Art, DePaul University, 1997
Research interests: 
  • Critical Leadership Studies
  • Feminist Theory and Practice
  • Equity and Ethics in Schooling
Bio: 

Dr. Heybach’s current research interests are related to critical leadership studies—in particular, the study of power in educational leadership. In addition, how race, class, gender, and sexuality differences influence equity and the ethical practice of school leaders. She is committed to bridging the gap between theory and practice in educational leadership for the development of more democratic forms of leadership and school practice.

Dr. Heybach has published in such journals as the Education Policy Analysis Archives; Educational Studies; Education and Culture; Critical Questions in Education; Oxford Encyclopedia of Philosophy of Education; and Philosophical Studies in Education. She has co-edited the book Dystopia and Education: Insights into Theory, Praxis, and Policy with Eric C. Sheffield (2013, American Educational Studies Association Critics Choice Award Winner), and Making Sense of Race in Education: Practices for Change in Difficult Timeswith Sheron Fraser-Burgess ((2021, Society of Professors of Education Book Award, 2021 American Educational Studies Association Critics Choice Award).

She is the past-president of the Ohio Valley Philosophy of Education Society and the Southeast Philosophy of Education Society.