Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the circumstances and factors in the lives of California's Asian Pacific American (APA) college and university presidents that they perceive enabled them to attain their current position. This study examined their personal history, relationships, life events, strategies to gain their CEO position, and factors that may have inhibited the attainment of that achievement. This qualitative research was designed as a descriptive, multi-case study. Six of the seven serving California APA presidents participated by responding to a survey questionnaire employed as the primary data-gathering instrument. This approach enabled the inquiry to concentrate on specific factors of the individual president's background and life experiences. The data were displayed in table and narrative format. The research revealed four emergent themes. First, all of the respondents related the strong impact of positive parental influence that led to the development of self-confidence and self-esteem. Second, there was a clear understanding of the value of a college education promoted and urged by the respondent's parents early in their lives. Third, the respondents' positive self-esteem and self-confidence promoted their success, opened additional opportunities, and ultimately led to their selection as a president. Lastly, despite the existence of cultural stereotypes and myths, the respondents worked relentlessly to demonstrate their capabilities and potential to serve as an effective leader and administrator. This study produced several recommendations for Asian Pacific Americans to pursue. These included the recommendation that APAs need to capitalize on the recent nationalization of the Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE) organization by creating local chapters on as many college and university campuses, especially in California, to provide mentoring and coaching of APA students towards a career in higher education. Next, APAs need to initiate a collaborative movement by organizations as APAHE and Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), with other like-ethnic minority organizations in higher education, to assist colleges and universities in identifying and developing new procedures and different policies regarding hiring of senior administrative officials. Further, current and former APA presidents need to create a more robust and visible state-wide caucus to establish a clear leadership focus for both academic and non-academic organizations such as LEAP and APAHE to connect to on a year-round basis that will maximize on the synergistic effect of their collective leadership and organizational talents.