The White Way to Hire Presidents: Racism in the Search and Appointment Process

• In Event: Disrupting Organizational Structures to Create Transformative Change

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore how presidential search and appointment processes (re)produce institutionalized racism. We interviewed 36 Asian, Black, Latinx, and white presidents from public higher education systems in one state. Our preliminary analysis points to the overarching finding that the college presidency continues to be white, demographically and normatively. We found that candidates of color often need to conform to the archetype of white presidential leadership to be deemed qualified and to be hired. Our findings have implications for policy and practice regarding creating equitable presidential search and appointment processes that value racially diverse identities and experiences.

Authors

• Román Liera, Montclair State University
  Presenting Author

• Cheryl D. Ching, University of Massachusetts - Boston
  Presenting Author

• Raquel M. Rall, University of California - Riverside
  Presenting Author

• Megan M. Chase, University of Southern California
  Non-Presenting Author

• Estela M. Bensimon, University of Southern California
  Non-Presenting Author