Brandelyn Tosolt, PhD

First and foremost, I am an educator.

I became an educator to help students transform their lives and, in doing so, transform society.

I start with a fundamental belief that people can and will do the ‘right’ thing—the just, generative, compassionate thing—if they’re supported in doing so. I believe that while it’s not a so-called ‘silver bullet,’ education remains our best tool for social equity. I believe that we each bring a part of the whole – that we each bring something to teach and something to learn – and that we can use what each of us brings to continue to build a more humane, free, and equitable future. These beliefs anchor every facet of my work and my life.

I began my professional career as a middle grades teacher in Detroit, Michigan, and ultimately transitioned to working as a faculty member in order to more thoroughly impact educational systems. I hold a PhD in educational leadership from Oakland University, an MAT from University of Michigan, and a BA from Michigan State University (Go Green!). I spent 17 years as a faculty member at Northern Kentucky University prior to joining the UNM faculty in fall of 2025.

My teaching philosophy centers on creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that empowers all students, but centers those with social identities that have been historically or are currently oppressed.
My courses help students develop a critical understanding of educational practices and policies through a sociological perspective, preparing them to be effective leaders and advocates in their fields as well as engaged and thoughtful members of our broader civic community.

Whether in a course or a supervisory relationship, I am deeply committed to utilizing the strategies each student responds most positively to and implementing them in a relationship characterized by care, accountability, and joy to support each student in reaching their educational goals.

I am an interdisciplinary, intersectional scholar whose work resides at the nexus of feminisms, race, (dis)ability, justice, and education. My scholarly work challenges existing educational norms and centers hope and possibility. I maintain an active agenda and am very proud to be moving into a stage in my career in which I center collaboration and mentorship with emerging scholars. Whether it is uplifting historically marginalized voices, challenging norms around pedagogy and products, or speaking directly to other White educators, my work helps define a narrative around inclusion and co-creates space for justice. My research focus aligns with my dedication to creating equitable educational environments and advancing the scholarship of educational leadership.