Dr. Cassandra Henderson

Cassandra Henderson had parents that nurtured her innate curiosity and blossomed it into a lifelong passion for examining the world around her. Their dedication along with Cassandra’s mission-driven personality paved the way for her to achieve academic success and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Henderson attended several Universities to receive her BA, MA, and Administrative Credentials. When it was time for her to pursue her doctorate, Sacramento State was her first choice. Cassandra describes, “Sac State is, is a warm place…It has been faculty wanting to get to know students and sharing knowledge. It’s been faculty that have poured into me.” Dr. Henderson highlighted Dr. Robert Wassmer, her dissertation chair that urged her to seize valuable opportunities like the Fall Poster Forum and Spring Symposium hosted by the Student Research Center. She secured first place in the Spring Symposium, earning the opportunity to present her research to a panel of jurors at the annual CSU-wide Student Research Competition, where she then won 1^st place in her division. These experiences were not only instrumental in solidifying her expertise in her research topic as well as providing new insight into further exploration, but it also solidified her theory of Sac State being a strong research competitor. Dr. Henderson states, “At Cal poly, it did me proud to look at the screen and see how many Sac State students won in that competition, because I don’t think Sac State gets the accolades it should…and clearly strong research is happening here, especially if you are competing with all 23 campuses…”

Dr. Henderson’s research “Priced Out of Opportunity: Investigating the Impact of California’s Housing Burden on School Segregation and Black Student Achievement” stemmed from her admiration for education and deep commitment for supporting her community. Despite the scarcity of studies directly linking housing affordability to student outcomes, she persevered, drawing comparisons between Oakland and Piedmont. She displayed disparities in median home prices and school performances, which contributed to educational inequities. Dr. Henderson hopes her findings will spur further research and increase public awareness, leading to effective policies and interventions. Cassandra remains passionate about her community and although she intends to take a small break from academia, she is continuing to positively impact the children and family residing in Sacramento County, by being efficient in her new role as Chief Operating Officer for Child Action Inc.

As a first-generation college student, Dr. Cassandra Henderson has navigated and excelled in the challenging landscape of academia. Her accomplishments, from securing 1^st place in a prestigious symposium and CSU-wide competition to producing groundbreaking research in housing and educational disparities, highlight her commitment to making a difference. She continues to be deeply grateful for the opportunities and support she received at Sacramento State, and she is committed to giving back by mentoring future scholars. Her journey not only reflects her personal triumphs but also underscores the vital role that educational institutions and supportive communities play in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Vanessa Alejos - Program Coordinator