Examining Responsive Interest Preservation: Whiteness as a Resource in Student Leadership Organizations

• In Event: The Intersections of Leadership and Identities: Perspective, Policies, and Practice

Abstract

This qualitative comparative case study addressed the leadership experiences of 13 African American student leaders in organizations at two predominantly White institutions (PWIs).
Participants in the study described their leadership involvement as coupled with their ability to identify White peers who exhibited behaviors that were distinguishably supportive of Black culture or anti-racist versus those who held a sense of superiority. Participants included 8 males, and 5 female student leaders. Findings indicated participants’ employed responsive interest preservation to identify White peer advocates for Black student organizations, which enhanced leadership ability, and organizational involvement. Emergent themes: 1) vetting Whiteness; and 2) embracing Whiteness as advocate.

Author

• Bryan Hotchkins, University of Utah