Building a Women of Color Collective in Academia: Promise and Challenges

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 11:40 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Graduate Students, Staff, and Faculty of Color Collectives (Table 12)

Abstract

We examine the perspectives of Women of Color (WoC) faculty on the potential and challenges of collectivizing within the academy. Utilizing collective autoethnography as a critical inquiry methodology (Chang et al., 2012), participants from intersectional identities shared experiences to interrogate the sociohistorical and political conditions impacting their roles. Findings revealed that WoC faculty benefit from collective spaces that foster belonging, agency, and solidarity, which are crucial for navigating the complexities of the academic environment. These spaces were shown to enhance faculty success, retention, and well-being. Further research is recommended to explore how such spaces can be effectively implemented and sustained across different higher education contexts.

Authors

• Lilia D. Monzo, Chapman University

• Lu Liu, Chapman University

• Charlotte Achieng-Evensen, Chapman University

• Audri Sandoval Gomez, Chapman University

• Cristal B. Flores, Chapman University

• Brittnie Ferguson, Chapman University