Campus Location
Dallas Campus (Online)
Date of Award
12-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Organizational Leadership
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Linda Wilson-Jones
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Christopher B. Beard
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Simone Elias
Abstract
Black women remain significantly underrepresented in senior leadership roles within higher education, especially in the presidency at historically Black colleges and universities. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the career paths and challenges Black women faced through their lived experiences in leadership roles across higher education institutions within predominantly White institutions and HBCUs. Guided by Black Feminist Thought as the theoretical lens, the study examined the intersecting barriers of race and gender that shaped the participants’ leadership trajectories in higher education. Data were collected through open-ended questionnaires, allowing participants to reflect on systemic inequities, mentorship experiences, and leadership development. Findings revealed that participants encountered persistent stereotypes, strained relationships with governing boards, limited access to mentorship, and high turnover pressures, all of which hindered their career advancement. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated resilience, leveraging support networks and adaptive leadership practices to navigate institutional and cultural barriers. The study underscores the significance of mentorship, inclusive hiring practices, and leadership development programs in addressing the underrepresentation of Black women in higher education leadership. These findings have implications for boards of trustees, policymakers, and academic leaders committed to creating equitable pathways for Black women leaders and advancing diversity in higher education administration. Keywords: Black women leaders, higher education leadership, organizational leadership, Black feminist thought, qualitative phenomenology, intersectionality, leadership development
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Porter, Beatrice, "A Qualitative Study on Black Women Leaders and Their Career Paths in Higher Education" (2025). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 974.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/974