ABSTRACT

This qualitative, multi-site, case study examined the personal and professional experiences of women of color who currently hold higher-level administrative positions at a Texas community college district and the role that Bicultural Socialization Theory played in their pathway to the leadership pipeline. Using interviews, campus observations, document analysis, and analytic memos, this study found who are the mentors (i.e., cultural translators, cultural mediators, and role models) who supported women of color achieve high-level administrative positions. The findings revealed that women of color navigated home and work culture due to their ability to balance multiple responsibilities required at home and the responsibilities required by their leadership roles. The findings indicated that women of color were successful because they had the ability to drawn upon their minority culture towards a successful bicultural pathway. The implications and recommendations for practice and future research are included.