Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences, successful career strategies, challenges and barriers, and effective leadership qualities of women of color college and university presidents in their ascension to the presidency. Methodology. For this qualitative, phenomenological research study, semistructured interviews using open-ended questions were utilized with the population of women of color college and university presidents. The researcher employed convenience and snowball sampling to select participants. Of the 22 participants who were invited to participate in the research, a sample size of 9 agreed. The women of color college and university presidents were either currently serving or had served at not-for-profit, accredited, degree-granting, 2- and 4-year, public and private colleges and universities in the United States. Findings. The data collection and analysis revealed 12 themes related to the study's 4 research questions: family, education, and career for lived experiences impacting the participants; preparation, mentors, networking, and leadership development programs in association with successful career strategies; self-imposed barriers and attitudinal and organizational biases emerging as obstacles and barriers; and trustworthiness, care and passion, and visionary leadership related to effective leadership qualities. Conclusions. The findings from this study concluded that women of color college and university presidents largely benefit from an extended community of advocates in their ascension to the presidency. The participants cited mentors, professional and personal networks, and/or leadership development programs as positive factors connected to their journey to the presidency. The findings also revealed self-imposed barriers and attitudinal and organizational biases as adverse factors impacting their ascension to the presidency. The study further highlighted the effective leadership qualities they shared in common as well as their family, educational, and career backgrounds that led to the presidency. Recommendations. The following are recommendations for further study: (a) Include a larger sample of women of color college and university presidents; (b) conduct a replication study inviting men of color college and university presidents that explores similarities and differences in their ascension to the presidency; and (c) explore a study on the role and impact of search firms handling presidential searches.