Asian American and Pacific Islander Women Senior Leaders in Higher Education: A Phenomenological Study

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Women of Color Surviving to Thriving Higher Education Work (Table 6)

Abstract

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) comprise an essential part of the American landscape, garnering the fastest population growth rate among racial and ethnic groups, representing an 81% growth from 10.5 to 18.9 million, between 2000 - 2019 (U.S. Census). However, the AAPI community's growth does not align with their representation in leadership. AAPI women represent less than one percent of leadership roles at universities and face the largest gender gap of any group within the education field. This study examines AAPI women in higher education senior leadership positions, addressing the disparity that exists for AAPI women leaders and circumstances surrounding this inequity. The conceptual framework applied includes the concept of Intersectionality and the Asian Critical theoretical framework.

Authors

• Rosemarie Mirano-Del Mar, University of California - San Diego

• Brooke Soles, California State University - San Marcos