About Me

Dr. Gina Umpstead (she/her/hers) is a professor of educational leadership at Central Michigan University. She is a law,  policy, and leadership scholar with research interests in PK-12 educational issues. She also has experience as a practicing attorney.

Gina has published many articles and 2 books on educational policy, law, and leadership topics.

Dr. Umpstead spent the 2014-15 academic year as a visiting scholar with High Tech High's Graduate School of Education where she was embedded in the charter network's 12 schools, participated in graduate courses, and conducted a research student on their leadership academy.

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During the past four years, her work in both scholarship and the field has focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion. In 2018-19 she worked on a diversity project in her local school district. In 2018-19, she joined the Michigan Department of Education's Special Education Advisory Board for a 3-year term. In 2019-20 she worked with a local LEA on developing an early middle college. In 2020-21, Dr. Umpstead helped redesign MDE's policy for inclusive preschool. 

When she's not working, Gina enjoys traveling, visiting the beach, taking photographs, reading biographies and historical fiction, walking/hiking, and attending cultural or creative activities and events.