career aspirations versus career actualizations of african american executive level administrators

161 Pages·2013·1.03 MB·English

CAREER ASPIRATIONS VERSUS CAREER ACTUALIZATIONS OF AFRICAN
AMERICAN EXECUTIVE LEVEL ADMINISTRATORS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN A STATE IN
THE SOUTHEAST: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

by

Kristen LeToria McManus

A dissertation submitted to the faculty of
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Doctor of Education in
Educational Leadership

Charlotte

2013

Approved by:

______________________________
Dr. Corey Lock

______________________________
Dr. James Bird

______________________________
Dr. Meredith DiPietro

_____________________________
Dr. Arthur Jackson
ii

©2013
Kristen LeToria McManus
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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ABSTRACT

KRISTEN LETORIA MCMANUS. Career aspirations versus career actualizations of
African American executive level administrators in higher education at historically black
colleges and universities in a state in the Southeast: An exploratory study. (Under the
direction of DR. COREY R. LOCK)

Despite affirmative action, gender inequities persist at institutions of higher
learning in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to
explore the perceptions of African American women serving in executive-level
leadership positions at historically black colleges and universities in a state the Southeast.
Participants completed an online survey to provide baseline information on perceived
barriers, which were derived from the literature review. Additionally, participants
submitted curriculum vitae for document analysis and participated in open interviews
conducted via SKYPE or telephone. Using constructivist grounded theory to analyze the
data collected allowed the researcher to work with a less restrictive methodology thereby
providing more latitude in data analysis. Data were analyzed to identify common themes.
The results of this study revealed that few women hold executive-level leadership
positions at HBCUs in the Southeast. Results suggest that personal and institutional
barriers still persist, yet research participants have found techniques to successfully
navigate the barriers. Detailed results, conclusions, and analyses of the research are
discussed. Additionally, a discussion is provided for future researchers which includes
tips on how to investigate this topic in the future for optimal results.
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DEDICATION

To my loving husband, Robert Muhammad, who has given my life new purpose
and continued to encourage throughout this process. I told you this was my dream and
you let me sleepwalk until it was reality. Without you this would not have been possible.
Additionally, to my late father, Lester Q. McManus and my mother, Virginia
Ware McManus, who have always encouraged me in my educational endeavors and been
a source of inspiration and strength. Please know this is just my entry into academic
writing, providing me with the credential I promised both of you I would gain. My next
forays will be better and more enthralling.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
v

Let me begin by thanking my committee chair and advisor throughout the
program, Dr. Corey Lock. Without your contributions, forthrightness and persistent
editing, I could not and would not have been able to finish this dissertation. I chose you
as my chair because you always encouraged me, and would not let me quit even when I
was determined to do so. That spirit was what kept this project and my motivation going
throughout this study.
To Dr. Meredith DiPietro, thank you for guiding me through a research process
that was initially challenging, but proved to be more than beneficial when dealing with a
difficult research topic and research population. Your explanations and patience were
invaluable as I worked through the data analysis process and continued to understand
what I had and what I did not have.
Dr. Jim Bird, you are and have been an inspiration to me. After I took your class,
I knew that I wanted you on my committee. You have a strong yet solemn spirit. I
respect your opinion greatly. You always returned drafts to me quickly and had very
insightful thoughts that caused me to really go and think about the direction I would take
next. I also appreciate the idea you gave me when this process first began about looking
at it holistically and more specifically, even though it was a qualitative study, still
determining a dependent and independent variable. That concept helped me a great deal.
To Dr. Arthur Jackson, my friend and mentor; you are constantly providing me
with constructive feedback. Some may not appreciate this, but I do. It is easy to find
someone to tell you when you are right, but it is more important to find someone to tell
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you when you are wrong and that what you have is well, rubbish. Thank you for being
that person and not allowing me to be substandard or produce anything substandard.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES xi
LIST OF FIGURES xii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
Purpose of the Study 2
Background of the Research Inquiry 2
Significance of Study 3
Research Questions 6
Research Design 7
Research Foundation 8
Overview of Subsequent Chapters 9
Definitions 10
Delimitations and Limitation 12
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 15
The Ceiling Effect 15
Women Administrators in Higher Education 17
African American Women Administrators in Higher Education 22
Impact of Black Feminist Thought 23
Problem Under Investigation 27
Gender Discrimination 29
Institutional Racism 31
Self-Efficacy 33
Historical Policies and Procedures 34
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Mentoring 35
The Impact of HBCUs on the Careers of African American Women 37
Summary 39
CHAPTER THREE: PROCEDURE 41
Research Questions 42
Overview of Study Design 44
Conceptual Framework 44
Population Sample 48
Sampling Frame 49
Data Collection Methods 49
Explanation of Interview Process 53
General Data Analysis 55
Introduction of Participants 56
• Research Participant # 1 Piper 56
• Research Participant # 2 Katherine 57
• Research Participant # 3 Sienna 57
• Research Participant # 4 Paige 57
Ethical Considerations 59
Issues of Trustworthiness 60
Limitations of the Study 60
Subjectivity Statement 61
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS 65
Research Questions 66
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Data Analysis Framework 66
Measurement 68
Description of the Data Analysis Process 70
Initial Coding 71
Creation of Categories 74
Thematic Analysis of Data 77
Situational Analysis 78
Findings 80
Trustworthiness 85
Summary 89
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSIONS 90
Current Status of AAWs at HBCUS 91
Findings 92
Implications 95
Recommendations 97
Lessons Learned 98
Suggestions to Future Researchers 101
Other Suggestions 107
Final Note 110
REFERENCES 113
APPENDIX A: IRB APPROVAL 129
APPENDIX B: SURVEY QUESTIONS 130
APPENDIX C: INITIAL RESEARCH INIVITATION LETTER 132
x
APPENDIX D: SECOND RESEARCH INVITATION LETTER 134
APPENDIX E: ONLINE CONSENT FOR POTENTIAL RESEARCH 135
PARTICIPANTS TO REVIEW

APPENDIX F: ONLINE CONSENT FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS 136
WITH LINK TO SURVEY
APPENDIX G: SURVEY RESPONSES 137
APPENDIX H: INTERVIEW PROTOCOL 138
APPENDIX I: PILOT SAMPLING (DEMONSTRATION OF LEADING 139
QUESTIONS)
APPENDIX J: RESEARCHER’S CURRICULUM VITAE 143
APPENDIX K: RESEARCHER CODEBOOK 145