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Photograph of Marquay Lee-Pearce

Marquay Lee-Pearce Adjunct Professorial Lecturer SOE Faculty

Contact
Marquay Lee-Pearce
SOE | Online Partner Programs (OLP)
4801 Massachusetts Avenue NW
By Appointment Only
Degrees
Ed.D. Education Leadership and Policy
MPA
Bachelor's

Favorite Spot on Campus
Muir Woods, Mill Valley, California
Bio
Dr. Marquay Lee-Pearce is interested in Imposterism, often referred to as imposter syndrome, is a pattern where individuals fail to internalize their accomplishments. Dr. Lee-Pearce's research aims to explore strategies to disrupt imposterism and its impact on the professional lives of people of color in corporate settings. Her research seeks to: (1) Identify the Root Causes: Investigate factors contributing to imposterism among people of color in corporate spaces, including cultural, social, and organizational influences, (2) Assess the Impact: Examine how imposterism affects job performance and career progression of people of color in corporate environments, (3) Develop Interventions: Create and test social belonging interventions aimed at reducing imposterism, such as advocating sponsorship programs, and organizational policy changes. Dr. Lee-Pearce's preferred research methodology considers uses of Qualitative Research: through us of interviews and focus groups with employees of color to gather personal experiences and insights on imposterism; Quantitative Research: with use of surveys to measure the prevalence and impact of imposterism among people of color in various corporate settings; and, Case Studies: to analyze successful interventions that have effectively reduced imposterism. She expects this work will lead to the following outcomes: (1) An Enhanced Understanding: Gain a deeper understanding of challenges faced by people of color in corporate spaces related to imposterism; (2) Effective Interventions: Development of evidence-based strategies to mitigate imposterism and support the career advancement of people of color; and (3) Policy Recommendations: actionable policy recommendations that lead to reducing imposterism.
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Spring 2025

  • EDU-765 Exercising Conscious Leadershp