View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by CSUSB ScholarWorks California State University, San Bernardino CSUSB ScholarWorks Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations Office of aduateGr Studies 5-2017 "TAKING OUR SEAT AT THE TABLE": A NARRATIVE INQUIRY OF THE EXPERIENCES OF SEVEN LATINA ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION Sharon Pierce California State University - San Bernardino, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd Part of the Community College Education Administration Commons, Community College Leadership Commons, and the Higher Education Administration Commons Recommended Citation Pierce, Sharon, ""TAKING OUR SEAT AT THE TABLE": A NARRATIVE INQUIRY OF THE EXPERIENCES OF SEVEN LATINA ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION" (2017). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 553. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/553 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Office of aduateGr Studies at CSUSB ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of CSUSB ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. "TAKING OUR SEAT AT THE TABLE": A NARRATIVE INQUIRY OF THE EXPERIENCES OF SEVEN LATINA ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of California State University, San Bernardino In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership by Sharon Pierce June 2017 "TAKING OUR SEAT AT THE TABLE": A NARRATIVE INQUIRY OF THE EXPERIENCES OF SEVEN LATINA ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of California State University, San Bernardino by Sharon Pierce June 2017 Approved by: Dr. Enrique Murillo, Jr., Committee Chair, Education Dr. Edna Martinez, Committee Member Dr. Alexandru Roman, Committee Member © 2017 Sharon Pierce ABSTRACT Currently, Latinas are the fastest growing population in the United States and comprise one-fifth of the female population (Roach, 2015). It is estimated that by the year 2060 Latinas will make up one-third of the females in the US (Roach, 2015). Gandara (2015) suggests there are several potential barriers that are holding back Latinas from academic and professional success. There are several critical factors that could explain why Latinas are underachieving: family obligations, work obligations, affordability, systemic barriers, lack of information and lack of role models and mentors (Espinoza, 2015, Gandara, 2008; Nunez & Murakami-Ramalho, 2012). This narrative inquiry examined the personal and professional lived experiences of Latina administrative leaders in higher education to gain a deeper understanding of how they navigated their educational and leadership trajectories. The primary conclusion of this study is the need to continue diversifying leadership roles in higher education. The participants in this study support previous findings that suggest that their firsthand experience and their support networks serve as catalysts along their educational and leadership trajectories (Espinoza, 2015; Gándara, 2015; González, 2007). In addition, their stories can provide critical information to not only serve the Latina student population and other under-served students in higher education, but can also help propel and influence women in non- leadership roles to new heights. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I want to thank my savior, Jesus Christ for giving me the grace to not only begin this educational journey eleven years ago but to finish it as well. He has kept me and guided me along the way. My scripture throughout my journey has been Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I would not have been able to complete this journey without the love and support of my family, friends, and professors but most importantly, my amazing and loving husband, Adam. He has been a constant support and encouragement from the start and has never allowed me to give up. I could not have done this without him. He has been my sounding board, shared in my frustrations and in my victories, listened to all my crazy ideas, taken up the slack in many areas of our lives, and has been a constant support through his unconditional love. He is my rock, my hero, my biggest cheerleader, and my best friend; I love you with all my heart, Adam. I would also like to thank my children, Alexandria and Caleb. Their love and support has been amazing. I could not have done this without them. They were 13 and 11 when I started this journey, and they gave up many “mommy” and “mom” moments for the last eleven years. As my pastor, Rev. Larry L. Booker would say, “Everything in life is a trade-off” and my prayer has been that the trade-off would be worth it. I am so proud of the young adults they have become. I am blessed to be their mother. iv I would also like to thank my committee for their guidance, support, patience, expertise, and kindness. Thank you to my dissertation chair, Dr. Enrique Murillo, for believing in me and helping me throughout the doctoral journey. He has been a tremendous support to me. A big thank you to Dr. Edna Martinez for her constant encouragement and support. She has enriched my knowledge and strengthened my research and presentation skills. She has been an amazing role model and mentor, not only as a successful Latina but an incredible educator. Another big thank you to Dr. Alexandru Roman for pushing me out of my comfort zone and for challenging me to become a better scholar through this program. He has been a tremendous supporter, role model, and mentor to me. I will forever be indebted to the amazing committee I was blessed with. A special thank you to Dr. David Baker for encouraging me to apply to the program and for challenging me to extend myself academically and personally to see beyond my perceived limits. Thank you to Dr. Donna Schnorr for her constant support, guidance, and encouragement throughout my doctoral journey. A want to extend my deep gratitude to my editing team - Victor Hernandez and Dr. Risa Lumley, my friends. They have not only encouraged me throughout the last two and half years but also gave generously of their time to edit and provide feedback on my dissertation. Additionally, thank you to cohort 8 for all your help and support throughout this incredible doctoral journey. I am a better person because of all of you. You have all enriched my life in one way or v another. I will cherish the wonderful memories we have shared over the last few years. Furthermore, I want to thank all my professors in the program for making my doctoral journey challenging and exciting. I am also grateful for the prayers and support of my pastors, Larry L. Booker and Joel Booker. Thank you to my family and friends not listed who have encouraged me and supported me throughout this journey. I love you all. Lastly, thank you to the seven incredible Latina leaders who took time out of their busy schedules and opened their lives up to me. I walked out of each interview with a tremendous amount of respect for each one of them and their journeys. Their stories will forever be imbedded in my heart and soul. Muchisimas gracias! vi DEDICATION This is dedicated to my amazing husband, Adam, the love of my life. I could not have completed this journey without your unconditional love. You believed in me when I did not believe in my own abilities. Your words of encouragement kept me when I was on the verge of quitting. We have faced many challenges and sacrifices together through this eleven year educational journey, so this accomplishment is not mine along but ours. Together, with God’s guidance and grace, we made it. We are all done! Thank you for loving me, supporting me, and for always being there when I needed you the most. You helped make my dream a reality. I love you, Adam. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................ iv LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................ x LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................... xi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................. Background of the Study.................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................. 3 Purpose Statement ............................................................................ 7 Research Questions ......................................................................... 8 Rationale of the Study ....................................................................... 8 Assumptions ..................................................................................... 9 Definitions of Key Terms ................................................................... 9 Overview of the Study ....................................................................... 11 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................... Introduction ........................................................................................ 13 Latinas in the United States .............................................................