Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2007

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Joshua Powers

Second Advisor

Kandace Hinton

Third Advisor

Jeannette Claussen

Abstract

This study focused on the experiences of five African American women senior administrators employed at five predominantly White institutions in the Midwest ,1ml lhc Northeast. There are few African American women in senior and chief executive administrative positions. These African American women were chosen as research subjects because they completed the American Council on Education (AC'I~) Fellows Program and cun-ently serve as senior and chief executive administrators of' higher education institutions. The goals of this study were to explore how mentoring and leadership development, specifically the ACE Fellows program, impacted the careers of the African American women. Additionally, this study examined if, or in what ways, the leadership development training received had beneficial impact in the short or the long tenn following their pmiicipation. A qualitative design approach using case studies provided insights into the lives of the study participants through structured, onc-01Hmc interviews, which were audio taped and transcribed. Research questions examined issues concerning mentoring experiences, career paths, the impnct of the ACE Pel lows program experience, and strategies to increase the representation of African American women in senior administrative leadership. Overall findings revealed that the women in this research study engaged in leadership development opportunities and mentoring relationships that enhanced their leadership abilities, advanced their careers, and enabled them to become exemplary presidents, chief executive officers or provosts. Part of their I\' admirable success may be attributed to their participation in the ACE Fellows Program, a leadership development program designed to enhance the understanding of the dynamics of higher education, to increase participant knowledge base of executive leader.ship skills. and via the establishment of mentoring relationships tlrnt result in the promotion of participants into senior leadership, specifically presidencies. The ACE Fcltows experiences affected the African American women's confidence levels, career aspirations, and leadership abilities, thereby enabling them to realize senior exccu1ivc positions.

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