Career Ascension of African American Women in Executive Positions in Postsecondary Institutions

AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION Since the 1990s, the visibility of women in powerful leadership and executive roles has steadily increased. Currently, there is a female president at Harvard University, a female Secretary of State, a female Secretary of Labor, a female Secretary of Health and Human Services, female U.N. Ambassador, EPA Administrator, and a female Director of Homeland Security. For the first time in history, two women recently presented themselves as candidates for the Vice Presidency and President of the United States. In most colleges and universities, female college students currently outnumber male students, and the results are visible in corporate America (Hamrick, 2009). The relatively low number of African American women college administrators indicates that leaders of Georgia colleges and universities might be overlooking talent, intellect, and motivation from within its workforce. To stay abreast of the ever-changing and challenging environment, colleges and university administrators must employ effective and diverse leaders in contemporary higher education (Bisbee, 2007). Yet the employment conditions and terms have become worse for minorities in education within the last decade (De Los Santos, 2008). Background As of Spring 2010, fewer than 100 African American women were serving as college leaders in an executive or administrator position in Georgia. Most of these women assumed leadership roles in junior, technical, and community colleges. The others represented state- university campuses or Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Only two women were identified as college presidents. One president served at a technical college, while the other served at an HBCU women's college. Although the number of African American female college presidents across the United States remains relatively small, more women have emerged into leadership roles within the last decade, doubling the population of female administrators (Reddick, 2008). In the 21st century, organizational leaders realized that diversified teams were valuable in meeting the needs of stakeholders. "Diversity is a global reality. America's status as a world leader and its ability to compete in the next century could well turn on its response to the challenges of diversity" (Aldridge, 1994, p. 11). Leaders of colleges and universities potentially could benefit by implementing development programs, including mentoring and leadership training programs, to increase the presence of African American female executive administrators in postsecondary institutions in Georgia. Aldridge (1994) commented, "Ironically, the very organizations that should be best prepared to meet the challenge of diversity, colleges and universities, seem least able to rise to the occasion" (p. 11). Many colleges and universities have made strides in diversifying their course outlines, faculty, and managerial positions, yet few have applied diversity to executive leadership and administration roles. The efforts to diversify and include women in the ranks of tenured faculty positions have not made much progress (Reddick, 2008). Minorities are still behind in education. African Americans currently earn bachelor's degrees at half the rate of Caucasians. This gap is critical because education is one entry point to holding an executive leadership or administrative appointment. College leaders have a duty to serve within their respective communities as a reflection on corporate social responsibility, ethical leadership, and civic responsibility (Hartman, 1997). Leaders have the responsibility to encourage innovations and educational opportunities. "Administrative leaders of a minority racial, ethnic or gender group may also provide inspiring role models for student, employees, and community residents" (Phelps & Taber, p. 10). Developing a partnership within the community, addressing workforce issues and economic development is imperative and valuable when serving the community to meet the needs of stakeholders. …