Campus Location
Dallas Campus (Online)
Date of Award
2-2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Organizational Leadership
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Karmyn Downs
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Deardra Hayes-Whigham
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Linda Wilson-Jones
Abstract
Previous literature has been used by researchers to suggest that Black women face challenges and obstacles seeking leadership roles at higher education institutions (HEIs). Many of these Black women have consistently and pervasively faced prevailing stereotypes, biases, and barriers as they seek career advancements at online HEIs (Nigar, 2020; Tarbutton, 2019). This qualitative phenomenological study was undertaken in order to examine the intersectionality of gender, race, and personality traits of Black women leaders who hold positions of department chair level or higher in HEIs. Using the theoretical framework of Black feminist thought, this research was conducted to understand better the lived experiences of a selected group of Black women in leadership roles at HEIs. Purposive sampling of 10 Black women leaders at Texas-based HEIs allowed for the participants to engage in virtual open-ended question interviews via video conferencing, Zoom. The participants shared their experiences on their career trajectory and barriers encountered on their journey and reflected on what helped them overcome obstacles while seeking leadership roles at HEIs. The procedures of initial coding, NVivo coding, and descriptive coding were utilized to transcribe the obtained data and create three main themes and 11 subthemes. The three major themes identified included support systems, personality perceptions, and career pathways. The results of this study provide fresh viewpoints on the difficulties faced by Black women seeking leadership roles at online HEIs. The viewpoints of the participants may also help to improve academic environments to identify potential leadership approaches for developing Black women to acquire leadership roles.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Shanaya Kuykendahl, "Pathways to Success for Black Women Leaders in Online Higher Education: Intersectionality of Gender, Race, and Personality Traits" (2023). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 551.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/551
Included in
Educational Leadership Commons, Higher Education Administration Commons, Online and Distance Education Commons