Counter-Stories of Women of Color Navigating the Trusteeship: A Critical Race Feminism Analysis of the Organizational Culture of Higher Education Boards in the U.S.
Abstract
This dissertation explores the internal cultures of (14) United States higher education boards from the perspectives of (18) Women of Color trustees. Guided by Critical Race Feminism, Intersectionality, and Organizational Culture Theory, the author develops a framework to study the impact of race and gender on historically underrepresented Women of Color Trustees. The counter-stories presented in this analysis inform how internalized behaviors, norms, and interactions of trustees reinforce racial and gender inequity on higher education boards. Moreover, the study poses the unique contributions of Women of Color trustees as leaders in higher education. This dissertation’s novelty comes from the lack of governance scholarship informed through the lens of Women of Color. The findings of the study contribute to the empirical and theoretical work in governance research and provide guidance for any Women of Color interested in the trusteeship.Key words: Women of color, higher education governance, boards of trustees, organizational culture