Repairing the Harm of Reproductive Hegemonic Leadership in Higher Education: Supporting Women of Color

• 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

Despite growing awareness of racial inequities, Women of Color (WOC) remain underrepresented in leadership roles within Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). This systematic literature review addresses this gap by revealing how racialized institutions and leadership practices perpetuate white supremacist and sexist norms, thereby maintaining the subordination of WOC. By applying an intersectional lens to the theory of racialized organizations we found: 1) Burden of multiple identities on WOC in academia; 2) Lack of research regarding WOC in 'colorblind’ academia; 3) IHEs are racialized, gendered, and violent; and 4) reproductive hegemonic leadership harms WOC. To support WOC in IHE’s we propose leaders acknowledge the impact of race on organizations and leadership, listen to WOC, and take action to dismantle existing inequities.

Authors

• Selvi Bunce, University of Colorado - Denver

• Marisha Addison, University of Maryland