TAMIU Faculty Member Dr. Gallardo Honored as First ICPEL James Berry Emerging Scholar

A Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) faculty member’s national and international contributions to educational leadership, data-driven research, and instructional motivation have earned her the first International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL) James Berry Emerging Scholar Award.

Dr. Cynthia A. Gallardo, TAMIU College of Education assistant professor of Educational Administration has been named the recipient of the distinguished honor recognizing early-career scholars whose research, teaching, and service demonstrate exceptional promise and meaningful impact in the field of educational leadership.

Dr. Gallardo’s Award celebrates a professional journey marked by innovation, scholarship, and a steadfast commitment to student success. Her research explores how principal preparation, instructional leadership, and dual enrollment programs influence educational opportunity and outcomes, particularly across diverse learning environments in South Texas and the U.S.–México border region.

TAMIU Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Alfredo Ramirez, Jr., said Gallardo’s recognition is a national and international distinction.

“Dr. Gallardo’s recognition brings both national and international distinction to Texas A&M International University, underscoring our leadership in principal preparation, educational research, and public service. Her work exemplifies the transformative potential of scholarship that is regionally grounded, globally relevant, and guided by a deep commitment to education,” Dr. Ramirez observed.

Gallardo said she is honored and elated to earn the James Berry Emerging Scholar Award.

“I’m incredibly honored and elated to receive this recognition and be the first ever-recipient. Through data-driven research, reflection, and service, I’m committed to the field and preparing future school leaders who lead with purpose, think critically, and are driven by a deep sense of responsibility to those they serve,” she said.

A dedicated scholar-practitioner, Gallardo currently serves as Principal Investigator of Project UP (Unveiling Perspectives), a TAMIU University Research Development Award (URDA)–funded initiative. This multi-site qualitative study examines how administrators, counselors, teachers, and alumni perceive the structure and impact of dual enrollment programs across six partnering school districts.  

Her scholarly portfolio includes peer-reviewed publications in journals such as the Journal of School Leadership, School Leadership Review, and the Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership. She is a contributing author to multiple accepted book chapters aligned with the National Educational Leadership Preparation standards, addressing leadership practices related to instructional systems, family and community engagement, and resilience in school administration. Her research consistently bridges policy, practice, and student-centered leadership preparation.

Her national presence has been solidified through invited presentations at top-tier academic conferences.  Gallardo has presented at the American Educational Research Association on administrator perspectives in dual enrollment, at the Western Regional NOYCE Network on empowering NOYCE Scholars through the Teacher as Researcher framework, and at the CDC Science Ambassador Fellowship’s Leadership & Networking Series on public health and student engagement.

She has also presented at the Bilingual Educational Conference for Unidos Para Texas on early college leadership and faculty preparation. Most recently, Gallardo presented multiple sessions at the 2025 ICPEL Conference, covering instructional leadership, dual enrollment, A.I. integration in principal practicums, and open educational resources in school law instruction.

This Fall, Gallardo will present her data-driven research on instructional settings and student outcomes in dual enrollment at the 3rd Annual Conference of Advanced Quantitative Methods and Analytics for Public Policy Support, hosted by Teachers College, Columbia University, and is also scheduled to present at the 2025 University Council for Educational Administration Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico in November—further expanding the national visibility and relevance of her work.

A leader in instructional design, she authored the first Open Educational Resource in Texas for Public School Law, which serves as instructional material for graduate-level principal preparation coursework. Gallardo, also recently recertified EDAM 5322 Public School Law, through Quality Matters for its design and instructional quality.

Through additional OER development grants, she has continued to expand free, accessible, and standards-aligned instructional resources that support aspiring school leaders. Her teaching portfolio includes courses in public school law, data-driven decision-making, curriculum evaluation, instructional leadership, and principal practicum, each intentionally designed to prepare administrators to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Last April 2025, Gallardo was selected to attend the inaugural Women in Higher Education Leadership Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She currently serves on the editorial team of the Advancing Women in Leadership Journal and as co-associate editor of the AERA Division A Newsletter.She is also a reviewer for various journal outlets in the field of Educational Administration and Educational Leadership. 

Beyond teaching and research, she is actively engaged in professional service. She contributes to statewide organizations such as the Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration, national associations including the University Council for Educational Administration, AERA, and international organizations such as ICPEL. Her leadership across these networks reflects her broad influence and dedication to advancing excellence, innovation, and student-focused leadership preparation.

Registration for the Fall Semester 2025 at TAMIU is underway now.  Visit the Registration Hub for details.  Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.

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