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This dissertation, titled “’We Must Keep Reaching Across the Table and Feed Each Other‘: Life Stories of Black Women in Academic Leadership Roles in Higher Education at Predominantly White Institutions,” has been modified from the form in which it was originally published. Specifically, certain sections have been revised to ensure that the text represents original work. DATE: July 2, 2018 “WE MUST KEEP REACHING ACROSS THE TABLE AND FEED EACH OTHER” LIFE STORIES OF BLACK WOMEN IN ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP ROLES IN HIGHER EDUCATION AT PREDOMINANTLY WHITE INSTITUTIONS BY DESIRÉE YVETTE MCMILLION DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in African-American Studies in the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2017 Urbana, Illinois Doctoral Committee: Associate Professor Yoon K. Pak, Chair Professor James D. Anderson Assistant Professor Shardé N. Smith Associate Professor Christopher M. Span Abstract “Black women have obtained leadership position as administrators at higher education institutions. While previous research has demonstrated that obtaining leadership positions is problematic for Black women, little research focuses solely on the plight and personal agency of Black women administrators”.1 While there exists a substantial body of literature devoted to examining the ways in which sexism, Anti-Black racism, gender and class inequality shape and limit leadership opportunities for Black women in education, few studies have focused on the personal agency of these women and how it influences their actions with regard to leadership within higher education. This phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of Black women in administrative leadership roles in higher education at predominantly white institutions and how race and gender intersect, and contribute to their career trajectories in academia. By sharing life stories of Black women in administrative leadership roles in higher education, an in- depth view of potential barriers, challenges and personal agency would enhance the literature pertaining to their roles and their successes. This research utilizes an historical overview of the journey of Black women as they have their first opportunities in the United States to enter into academic spaces in the nineteenth century. Through this historical context, their lived experiences and the varied obstacles they have faced as academics and administrators gives an opportunity for Black women to voice, document and highlight their careers and to expose the significance of the factors which influence the attainments of their leadership success. 1 Robyn L. Hughes and Mary F. Howard-Hamilton, “Insights: Emphasizing Issues that Affect African American Women,” New Directions for Student Services, no. 104 (2003): xi. ii DEDICATION PAGE Speaking Faith – Faith is a substance of things hoped for and an evidence of things not seen, thank you Lord for providing everything I needed throughout this process. To my maternal grandmother, Lula Inez Fonville, who taught me how to live and how to survive, I miss you. Although you made your transition to heaven on March 2, 1979, you live through me. I dedicate this study to you, Granny. Always a Black woman in your own right, a leader of your era and my eternal motivation, I thank you. Thank you for instilling in me at a very young age the knowledge that I can be who I CHOOSE to be, I can live as I CHOOSE to live, I can define myself, and I CHOOSE to be me. Thank you for showing me favor and reminding me what it means to have opportunity, what it means to value your work no matter what career you have, and to strive for greatness, always, in everything I do. You will forever remain close to my heart, as I owe you my success. And how special is it to defend my dissertation on your 92nd birthday, March 31st. Until we meet again, I love you always and forever. For the past several years, I waited patiently for this moment to dedicate this dissertation to my two children, Lexus D’Shea McMillion (Diva) and Lawrence McMillion II (Scrilla). Thank you for listening to my many tearful moments in the middle of the night as I struggled to balance academics; my career; advising students, my involvement in our community, my church and volunteer ties; my sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and countless projects. I am sure your coping with all of my imperfections has made you both well-rounded individuals, and I apologize if you ever needed me and I was not available for you wholeheartedly. From this long process, I pray you both totally understand how valued education is, earn it and never take it for granted; it is required in order to survive in the world we live in. As I have always stated: “Education is the key to many opportunities. Once you earn it, it is the one thing in life that can never be taken away from you. Keep learning until you know everything, and iii never stop learning until you know all that matters. A mis-educated person is hazardous to self and others.” Remember you must work for what you want and not ever depend on anyone to give you anything. I wanted to set a phenomenal example for the both of you; I pray I succeeded. Thank you for reminding me I can finish and for your continuous love and support. To my mother Dollie McNair Woolfolk, thanks for the push to succeed to become the first in the family to reach this milestone. I remember returning to school to complete my associate’s degree: as I crossed to receive my diploma you had tears in your eyes; you raised your hand and said, “thank you”. I did not quite understand it then, but I understand it now, and you are most welcome. This dissertation is for the family. Cynthia ‘MomSis’ Edwards, thank you for giving me the extra encouragement I needed to continue on this journey. Thank you for providing me with numerous tips on writing and pushing me to reach the top. I am so thankful for your countless hours of listening to my cries, but more importantly your ability to see my talent. You have always encouraged me to never give up, never give in, to keep reading and to keep writing. I am appreciative; love you and may you rest in peace. My spouse, I thank you for your daily reminders toward the completion of this document, “…with GOD all things are possible” and to keep pushing forward with prayer. It has been a long journey, but now I see the light. GOD is amazing - “But GOD”…. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I give honor and praises to God, who is my Lord and Savior; because without you, I am nothing and could not have overcome barriers that threatened to derail this accomplishment. Thank you GOD. Many people contributed to the success of my dissertation and doctoral journey, and I am certain I could not have made it without them pushing, motivating, encouraging, and inspiring me to reach the finish line for all of us. I would like to thank all the women who accepted and participated in this very important research study. Without the six beautiful women who decided to trust me with some of their forever memories, this project would not have been possible. To each of you, Rose, Sophie, Asia, Caroline, Priscilla and Miah—pseudonyms no doubt, I thank you sincerely. I have learned so many life lessons and so much about Black women, race and gender, politics in the academy, Black female academics and oppression in higher education, male hegemony in administration, and how to carve out my own career trajectory, along with the day-to-day challenges of living in a world where Black women are often thought of as invisible. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt experiences and trusting in me to utilize the information provided to strengthen the literature of Black women in administrative leadership roles in higher education. A special thanks to my advisor and dissertation chair: Yoon K. Pak, I am deeply indebted to you. You gave me a chance, and allowed me to prove I can do this. I came to you one day with a heavy burden; I expressed the need to make changes in my dissertation structure. You didn’t question my motives; you simply asked, “What is your focus of study and what is the plan”? I thank you because without your faith, guidance and push to the finish line this would not have been possible. Your patience helped me navigate this cumbersome milestone; and I thank you so much for your time, caring nature and understanding life in general, things do happen. I appreciate you. v To my committee members, thank you all for bringing very different perspectives and necessary modules to this process. From the moment I met each of you, you all encouraged me to face my fears, relieve all doubt and just finish, I had no idea it was truly possible: completing a PhD. What can I say; methods expert Dr. Shardé Smith, dissertation committee member and my mentor, you rock! You took the chance of becoming my mentor toward the end of my research. Sharing your wisdom on methods, results and its structure has truly provided me with relevance in this research. Thanks for helping me recapture my thoughts on the use of methods through which I found a passion. Your guidance and knowledge of structure is impeccable. I am truly appreciative. My dissertation committee member and one of my first professors during my graduate studies journey, Dr. Chris Span, known as C-Span, you are truly an inspiration and a blessing.