Date Approved

6-12-2024

Embargo Period

6-12-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Educational Leadership, Administration, and Research

College

College of Education

Advisor

MaryBeth Walpole, Ph.D.

Committee Member 1

Dr. Monica Reid Kerrigan, Ed.D.

Committee Member 2

Dr. Steven M. Rose, Ed.D.

Keywords

Black Administrators;Higher Education;Inequities;Institutional Racism;Search Committees;Structural Racism

Subject(s)

College administrators--Selection and appointment

Disciplines

Community College Leadership | Higher Education

Abstract

The history of Black people across the globe is marred by structural racism created by colonialism. Structural racism is deeply embedded in the American culture and academia is not excluded from this phenomenon. The research demonstrates that the problem of racism is not only prevalent in four-year academic institutions but also exists in two-year colleges. Our academic institutions are a microcosm of the broader society whereby we bring our worldviews, biases, and beliefs with us into the workplace. When these views are negative towards marginalized groups, actions can be adverse and impact the experiences of these demographics. My qualitative single case study reveals a need to illuminate the experience of Black administrators serving on search committees at Traditionally White Community Colleges (TWCCs). Based on my literature review and demonstrated by my findings, the experiences of Black professionals at a TWCC who served on a search committee describe an environment of institutional racism that impacts their experiences. Sharing my findings could help this TWCC in their aspirations of becoming a more diverse and inclusive institution, and encourage other TWCCs to review their search committee practices for biases and make the appropriate changes. In addition, my findings can add to the gap in the research on the experiences of Black administrators serving on search committees at TWCCs.

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