Ruth L. Ray earned the Ph. D. in Education and Human Resource Management from Colorado State University in 2001. Prior to receiving her Ph. D., Ray completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Secondary Education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA.

Dr. Ray joined the LSUS faculty in the Fall of 2002 after having served as an instructor at Colorado State University and adjunct professor at Southern University. Dr. Ray’s prior professional experience includes teaching English at the middle and high school levels, serving as Interim Assistant Principal, Assistant Principal of Instruction, and evidentially as Principal in Iberville Parish.

Currently, she is an associate professor, teaching primarily in the educational leadership program. She has also served as the director of graduate studies in education. In 2004, Dr. Ray was appointed as the chairperson of the Department of Education.

Dr. Ray is conducting research on teacher leadership as well as effectiveness of pre-service programs for school administrators. Prior research topics surrounded zero tolerance policies in schools and multicultural issues in public education. She has made numerous national presentations and has published in national journals and a textbook. Most recently, she co-authored a book entitled The Struggle for Black History: Foundations for a Critical Black Pedagogy in Education.