Career Challenges of LGBTQ Student Affairs Professionals: An Exploration of Macro and Micro Climates

• In Event: Student Affairs, Students, and Administrative Leadership

Abstract

While research about the experiences of LGBTQ students on college campuses is well established, and a small, developing, body of research on LGBTQ faculty exists, there are few studies examining the experiences of LGBTQ professional staff or administrators on campuses. Using an interpretivist paradigm, we interviewed 22 LGBTQ identified student affairs professionals to understand their professional experiences. It is clear that many institutions still contain micro (and to some extent macro) climates that are unsupportive for LGBTQ staff. The LGBTQ student affairs professionals in our study have had to navigate a complex mix of personal, sexual, social, interpersonal, and intrapersonal issues as they establish, develop and maintain their careers. Implications for creating affirming spaces are offered based on our findings.

Authors

• Sean Robinson, Morgan State University

• Scott Seyforth, University of Wisconsin - Madison