Faculty of Color Exposing and Reforming Structures of Whiteness in Leadership

By: Rebecca Covarrubias and Katherine Quinteros (UC Santa Cruz)

Winter 2022

The current research examines how faculty of color (FOC) experience Whiteness in structures of leadership in an HSI context, and how their own leadership perspectives and efforts reform such structures. Content-coding of 16 semi-structured, in-depth interviews highlighted how Whiteness was reflected in the structural diversity of leadership; in the devaluation of leadership efforts of FOC; and in undemocratic approaches to decision-making. FOC reformed such structures by focusing their leadership efforts on the needs, voices, and lived experiences of people of color at the university; pushing forward collective, on-the-ground activities; and centering their approaches in collaboration. 

Report Citation:

Covarrubias, R., & Quinteros, K. (2022). Faculty of Color exposing and reforming structures of Whiteness in leadership. Manuscript under review.