Michael Raffanti

Dr. Michael Raffanti, Associate Dean of Union’s Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (Ph.D.) program, first joined Union in 2007 as a professor in the Doctor of Education program. In addition to administering the Ph.D. program, he teaches seminars in research and educational studies, and supervises dissertation research. Dr. Raffanti has a varied professional background in education and social justice. While practicing poverty law in San Francisco, he collaborated with community members in launching a law academy at an urban high school, which precipitated his movement from law to education. While earning his teaching license, he directed the education department of an AIDS service organization and developed HIV prevention programs for adolescents, gay and bisexual men, and communities of color. Dr. Raffanti has taught third grade in urban settings and served in a variety of educational leadership roles. He also taught at-risk high school students in a weekend community college program. Michael has online/blended university teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at Western Governors University, Fielding Graduate University, Pepperdine University, and California Institute of Integral Studies. His research interests are in leadership development, multicultural education, diversity, and qualitative research methodologies. Dr. Raffanti holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history from University of Portland, master’s degrees from The Evergreen State College (education) and Union Institute & University (literature & writing), a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School and a Doctor of Education from Fielding Graduate University.