"Aya: The Enduring Spirit of Black Women in Higher Education" is a research study that sought out to better understand the experiences of Black women inside of higher education. Building off of two previous unpublished research studies that focused on the resources that enable Black women to stay in their programs, this study took a more…

African American women in higher education have faced challenges as they have sought to advance to a senior-level position. The literature demonstrates that African American woman has been confronted with racial bias. African American women have been described as too emotional to hold positions of authority or senior-level positions. Some…

In this paper, I lay the foundation for a broader discussion of the impact of sexual harassment on the gender composition of college majors. First, I focus on the rates of sexual harassment experienced by different groups of students and how these disparities can be understood through the framework of intersectionality. In the next paper, I will…

The issue of gender bias has been studied in many facets of society, including business, education, and leadership in general. Researchers and professionals working in the field have long had concerns over the issue of gender bias: if it is occurring, what does the rate and impact have on overall success in leadership? Women in upper-level…

Women of Color have a variety of experiences within academia, many of which are marred by the interstices of racism, classism, sexism, and the hetero patriarchy that upholds the structure of white supremacy in higher education (Gay, 2004; Pena, 2022). However, there is a legacy of Women of Color who have created and continue to create collectives…

This qualitative study focuses on the tenure experiences of Black women faculty who have attained tenure at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs) of higher education. Black Feminist Theory, Endarkened Feminist Epistemology, and Identity Taxation create theoretical lenses and frameworks for this study. Methodologically, this study uses sister…

Intercollegiate athletics has become a business enterprise which exists and thrives on higher education campuses. As the growth of intercollegiate sport has continued, women have been noticeably absent from leadership roles in this extremely male-dominated profession. With the passage of Title IX there was hope and expectation that women would be…

Black women leaders in higher education grapple with their double identities in the workplace which leads to unique challenges and obstacles. Black women leaders in higher education face situations and circumstances in leadership different than their white male and women counterparts and Black men. Dealing with both racism and sexism, Black women…

Many of the barriers women face in achieving senior leadership positions in higher education institutions are the result of ingroup disidentification. The problem that was addressed in this study is the low gender identification of women managers in higher education. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in detachment,…

Women outnumber men in assistant professor positions at 4-year colleges and universities, but the story changes at the higher ranks. There are more men in associate professor positions and twice as many men than women at the full professor rank, the pinnacle of the faculty career and gateway to leadership and decision-making roles. Ample research…

My dissertation is unique and contributes to the academic literature because it explores the barriers that retired and current African American women face while pursuing and working in higher education leadership roles in Arkansas. Using a narrative inquiry design, I interviewed 17 retired and working leaders by asking them to share their personal…

The demand for more women leaders has become an international business phenomenon. As women continue to successfully attain significant leadership roles, we must not assume that women's leadership styles and competencies will mirror those of men. Little is currently known about the competencies required to lead in male dominated corporate…

Research is needed for us to be able to understand how Women of Color make meaning of their experiences in women's studies, especially Black women, whose experiences have not always been centered within women's studies (Elfman, 2009). Furthermore, it is important to distinguish Women of Color from Black women when investigating their lived…

This dissertation delved into the complex interaction between gender dynamics and leadership perceptions within outdoor recreation, particularly in the context of higher education. Utilizing Transformational Learning Theory, Critical Feminist Theory, and Conditional Outdoor Leadership Theory, this study aimed to uncover the nuanced ways in which…

Women are underrepresented in the STEM workforce. This is due to microaggressions, gender biases, preconceived assumptions about their abilities, a lack of mentorship, and limited opportunities for advancement. While women are underrepresented as a whole, the deficit is even larger when it comes to Latinas, who only make up a fraction of the…