Jean Ferguson Ruffin, Ed.D.

Dr. Jean Ferguson Ruffin is an assistant professor in the Department of Leadership, Research, and School Improvement. She teaches graduate courses in educational leadership, specializing in school law and culturally proficient leadership. Her research agenda is primarily focused on culturally proficient leadership. Dr. Ruffin served as the associate school superintendent for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. She has also worked with the Southern Regional Education Board as a school improvement and literacy coach. She has held a variety of school and district-level leadership positions including high school English teacher, teaching and learning specialist, instructional lead, CTAE director, and school improvement specialist. Prior to becoming an educator, Dr. Ruffin practiced law in south Georgia.

  • B.A., English, Tuskegee University, 1998
  • J.D., Law, Mercer University, 2001
  • Ed.S., Education Administration, University of West Georgia, 2010
  • Ed.D., School Improvement, University of West Georgia, 2018

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Fall 2020 Sections

Ruffin, Jean F. and Simon, Marsha E. (2022). Developing culturally proficient leaders through graduate coursework: Examining student perspectives. School Leadership Review.

Teaching from a place of love: Navigating the online diversity course against the backdrop of socio-political chaos. In S. McCarter and D. Davis (Eds.), Breakthrough: From Pandemic to Promising Practice. Information Age Publishing.

A Tale of Three Teachers: Portraits of Inequity, Education, and Perseverance During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Missed Opportunities: Reflections and Regrets of a Brand New Professor