Pathways to the Presidency: Biographical Sketches of Women of Color Firsts

Abstract

According to recent data, only 3 percent of all college and university presidents are women of color. While the numbers remain disturbingly low, some of these women of color are making history as the "first" of their gender, race, and ethnicity to become president of a public, baccalaureate degree-granting college or university. In this article, Caroline Sotello Viernes Turner presents biographical sketches of three of these women. They are acknowledged to be the first Mexican American, Native American, and Asian Pacific/Asian American women who are presidents of such colleges in the United States. Women from these respective racial and ethnic groups have become university presidents only recently. Using in-depth interviews and cross-case comparisons, the author examines the paths these women presidents have taken and how their narratives contribute important information about women of color in higher education administration. She asserts that from their stories we can learn about the "pathway to the presidency" these women have helped to forge, about the ways universities can help support the leadership development of women of color, and about how to foster leadership in other women of color who aspire to be college presidents. Turner concludes that these women of color "firsts" continue to make important contributions to the field of higher education, and to pave the way for other women.

Understanding the Motivations of Future Minority Serving Institution Presidents

“…Although these reflective contributions are essential, they do not replace the need for qualitative and quantitative research studies. More recently, there has been some exploration of women and women of color holding the role of president (Brown, 2005;Turner, 2007). Overall, these research studies and reflections fail to look at motivations for pursuing the presidency across various individuals and institutional types.…”

Women of Color in Community Colleges: Leadership Development

“…Women's awareness of their cultural traits and personal values plays a role in leadership development. The development of leadership skills is closely related to women's identity development (Guillen et al, 2017;Ibarra et al, 2010;Moorosi, 2014;Turner, 2007). Therefore, women leaders benefit from opportunities to develop through initiatives such as professional development programs.…”

“…Davis & Maldonado, 2015;Forret & Dougherty, 2001;Muñoz, 2009). Literature on experiences of women of color in higher education often lacks descriptions of programs where senior leaders serve in mentoring roles (Brue & Brue, 2018;Howard-Vital, 1989;Vaccaro, 2010) and where connections are made between women's identity development and leadership development, both of which are critically important (Debebe, 2011;Ely et al, 2011;Ibarra et al, 2010;Mena, 2016;Moorosi, 2014;Turner, 2007).…”

The Role of Balance in Women's Leadership Self-Identity

“…The duality of managing a career and acting as a woman is expected to act is represented in the literature (Hennig & Jardim, 1978), as is the duality experienced by women of color in leadership positions (Lindsay, 1999;Turner, 2007;Waring, 2003). The women I interviewed hold the complexity of the demands of the presidency and understand the rigor and challenges of the role.…”

“…Self-role merger, managing the boundary between herself as an individual and herself in the role of a leader, is a facet of leadership (Conway, 2001;Hiller, 2005). A leader is challenged to mesh her perception of herself as a leader with information she receives from her environment, while observing and controlling how she presents herself to others (Brown, Van Ummersen, & Sturnick, 2001;Chandler, 1991;Hiller, 2005;Turner, 2007;Waring, 2003). The motivation to lead can come at a personal cost, on the leader as well as her family (Brown, et al, 2001;Conway, 2001;Sturnick, 1991).…”