Michael E. Dantley
Dean Emeritus
College of Education, Health and Society
Miami University of Ohio

Michael E. Dantley, Ed.D., recently retired as dean of the College of Education, Health and Society and professor emeritus of educational leadership at Miami University, Oxford, OH. Before his last higher education position, Dantley served as dean and professor of educational leadership at the School of Education at Loyola University, Chicago, IL. Dantley has served as the Department of Educational Leadership Chair, associate provost, and associate vice president for Academic Affairs at Miami University. 

Dantley’s research is a testament to his deep commitment to leadership, critical spirituality, and social justice, particularly in urban school contexts. His scholarly work has been widely recognized and published in leading journals and hallmark texts on leadership and social justice. He has also played significant roles in various professional organizations, including serving as the past chairman of the board of AACTE and being a member of the Steering Committee of Education Deans for Justice and Equity and the Coalition of Black Education Deans. Dantley was the president of the University Council for Educational Administration, Division A’s vice president of the American Educational Research Association, and the president-elect of the Council of Academic Deans from Research Education Institutions. In addition, he is the CEO of MED Consulting, LLC in Cincinnati, OH. He is set to become one of the leadership coaches for deans and department chairs initiated by AACTE.  

 Dantley’s recent publications, including “Critical Consciousness and Spirituality: Deconstructing the Colonizing Practices of US Education through the Lens of Paulo Freire” and “Critical Spirituality,” have further enriched the discourse on educational leadership and social justice. His new book, “Leading With A Critical Spirit: New Strategies for Educational Leaders,” published in October 2023, promises to be a valuable resource for aspiring and practicing educational leaders. 

Dantley currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Cincinnati, Hamilton County Library Foundation, the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, the School Board of Directors, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Community Advisory Board and will now serve on the Board of Beech Acres.