Intersectional Leadership: A Critical Narrative Analysis of Servant Leadership by Black Women in Student Affairs

Date of Award

2018

Degree Name

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership

Department

Department of Educational Leadership

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Molly Schaller

Second Advisor

Advisor: Michele Welkener

Abstract

Little research exists that centers the experiences of African American women student affairs administrators in higher education. The challenges and barriers that exist for African American women student affairs administrators are complex and directly connected to the history of slavery, race and racism in the United States. Concepts such as mentorship, success, and leadership are situated in normative practices informed by White narratives and privileged vantage points.The aim of this qualitative study is to illuminate how the experiences of African American women student affairs administrators at predominantly White institutions support or contradict leadership models often used as frameworks for development and strategy. The research questions are as follows: What are the experiences of African American women student affairs administrators at predominantly White institutions in higher education as they relate to race and gender? How do participants describe reflecting on, considering, or implementing leadership models in their work as student affairs administrators? And how do the experiences of African American women within student affairs at predominantly White institutions reflect or problematize the Servant Leadership model?The research questions were answered using critical narrative to provide voice to a marginalized population. My dissertation challenges colleges and Universities to consider the impact of using White narratives to standardize behaviors and strategies across all social identities. The findings also urges universities to address environments that continue the oppression and exploitation of Black women student affairs administrators in higher education.

Keywords

African American Studies, African Americans, African History, African Studies, American History, Black History, Black Studies, Education, Education History, Educational Leadership, Educational Sociology, Educational Evaluation, Educational Theory, Epistemology, Ethnic Studies, Gender Studies, Gender, Higher Education, Higher Education Administration, Minority and Ethnic Groups, Multicultural Education, Organizational Behavior, critical race theory, Black Feminist Thought, student affairs, Black women, administrators, leadership, Servant Leadership Theory, servant leadership, decenter, standpoint, standpoint theory, leadership development, intersectionality, race, social justice

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2018, author

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