Navigating the Racialized Neoliberal Gaze: Asian American Women Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Professionals in U.S
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The University of San Francisco USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center Doctoral Dissertations Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects 2019 NAVIGATING THE RACIALIZED NEOLIBERAL GAZE: ASIAN AMERICAN WOMEN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PROFESSIONALS IN U.S. HIGHER EDUCATION Ariana DasGupta Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.usfca.edu/diss Part of the Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons The University of San Francisco NAVIGATING THE RACIALIZED NEOLIBERAL GAZE: ASIAN AMERICAN WOMEN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PROFESSIONALS IN U.S. HIGHER EDUCATION A Dissertation Presented to The Faculty of the School of Education Department of International and Multicultural Education In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education by Ariana A. DasGupta San Francisco, CA May 2019 The University of San Francisco ABSTRACT Substantial research has addressed the experience of Asian American students in higher education (Hune, 2002; Ng & Lee, 2007; Buenavista, Jayakumar, & Misa- Escalante, 2009; Museus & Chang, 2009; Museus & Kiang, 2009; Pak, Maramba, & Hernandez, 2014; Palmer & Maramba, 2015), and a growing body of literature explores the state of Asian American faculty in higher education (Lee, 2002; Li & Beckett, 2005; Lin, Pearce, & Wang, 2009; Yook 2013). Though research examining how Asian American administrators experience higher education is increasing (Suzuki, 2002; Neilson, 2004; Neilson & Suyemoto, 2009; Li-Bugg, 2011; Reeves, 2015), no studies to date have examined how Asian American women who are diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professionals in higher education experience their roles. This phenomenological study used in-depth interviews to examine how the experiences of Asian American women DEI professionals in higher education demonstrate conformity and conflict with neoliberalism. In doing so, this study found agentive possibilities for Asian American women even as they navigate the commodifying nature of what this study terms the “racialized neoliberal gaze.” ii SIGNATURE PAGE This dissertation, written under the direction of the candidate’s dissertation committee and approved by the members of the committee, has been presented to and accepted by the Faculty of the School of Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education. The content and research methodologies presented in this work represent the work of the candidate alone. Ariana A. DasGupta April 30, 2019 Candidate Date Dr, Genevieve Negrón-Gonzales April 30, 2019 Chairperson Date Dr. Susan Katz April 30, 2019 Committee Member Date Dr. Monisha Bajaj April 30, 2019 Committee Member Date Dr. Mary Wardell-Ghirarduzzi April 30, 2019 Committee Member Date iii DEDICATION To my parents, who left their parents, so my siblings and I could have the luxury to take things for granted. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In many ways, the hardest part of the dissertation is writing this page well as I have many to thank, and an ironic lack of words to thank them properly. An entire community holds me up, and has held me up through this process. I would like to first thank my dissertation committee – Dr. Genevieve Negrón- Gonzales, Dr. Susan Katz, Dr. Monisha Bajaj, and Dr. Mary Wardell-Ghirarduzzi – for pushing me to reach a higher standard for myself, for this dissertation, and beyond. Each of you has supported me over the years in ways that extend far beyond merely being my professors. You have shown me what it means to cultivate a community that can be caring and challenging, and to demonstrate what it truly means to be a scholar practitioner. Dr. Gregory Tanaka, your beautifully stubborn vision that a better world can exist, and that we all have a role in birthing it, guided this dissertation work in a profound way. I am indebted to your kind generosity of spirit in a way that I truly lack the words to explain. Jenni Bosco, my writing partner from day one. I am so thankful to have someone as caring and encouraging as you to commiserate with and celebrate with, through all of this. I can finally come over to have some wine now. MJ Kober, thank you for being my first friend at USF. Your care for me means so much. I will be happy to taste test more baked goods, now that I may have more time. This past year has been filled with joy because of the daily support of my team in the Office of Diversity Engagement and Community Outreach. Gladys Perez, Liz Lopez, Joanna Villegas, Flavio Bravo, and Yuri Smith – you are my daily, loving family and I v cherish each of you, and feel humbled that we can be in this professional journey together – one that is so much more than just work. Dr. Mary Wardell-Ghirarduzzi, you are the reason this dissertation exists. Our work is indescribably joyful, and can be so painful, so full of contradictions and revelations. Not a day goes by that we do not talk about this. In the midst of all these ups and downs, you have cared for me, mentored me, and held me to higher standards of what is right. I revel in the love you have poured into me, and the trust you have in me. I thank you, wholeheartedly. Seibi Lee for reminding me that striving for excellence is an art, that art demands excellence, and that everything is art. Thank you for demonstrating that in all that you do, and asking for nothing less of me. Boo, for being by my side through this process, for 3 years, even with 3,000 miles between us. Thank you for your patience, care, and love. My brother, Joyee, meticulously edited this dissertation. I would not trust anyone else to put in the care that he did to make this a better study. I am so thankful for this way in which he showed me his brotherly love. Lifetime supply of Hajmola on its way! Two Drs. DasGupta precede me, and therefore were doubly at risk of getting dramatic phone calls from me on a daily basis on account of 1) having gone through the process themselves, and 2) for being my parents. There are no words to thank them for their boundless love. This is all for you. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... ii SIGNATURE PAGE ...................................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................................. v LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ x LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER I: THE RESEARCH PROBLEM ............................................................................... 1 Background of the Researcher ................................................................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................................ 3 Background and Need ............................................................................................................. 5 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................................. 11 Research Question ................................................................................................................ 12 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................... 12 Neoliberal hegemony ........................................................................................................ 12 Racialized neoliberal gaze ................................................................................................ 15 Educational Significance ....................................................................................................... 18 CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ..................................................................... 20 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 20 Asian American Women in Higher Education ....................................................................... 20 Underrepresentation in faculty and administration ............................................................ 21 Diversity in Higher Education ............................................................................................... 27 Benefits of diversity ........................................................................................................... 29 Challenges to diversity ...................................................................................................... 30 Critiques of the diversity rationale .................................................................................... 32 Neoliberalism and Higher Education ..................................................................................... 35 An overview of neoliberalism ............................................................................................ 36 Ideological underpinnings of neoliberalism ......................................................................