ABSTRACT
Women of color continue to be underrepresented in upper-level leadership positions at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) of higher education in the US PWIs have been unsuccessful in diversifying their own senior systems of governance to reflect the changing face of a globalized era. The advancement of theories and practice relevant to women of color in leadership positions and faculty appointments by advancing Applied Critical Leadership (ACL) Theory as a culturally responsive approach for transcending barriers and other challenges in the academy. Drawing on the findings from a review of extant literature on the pertinent issues, the author provides individual, professional, and institutional strategies for practicing culturally responsive leadership and career support for women of color who aspire to or currently serve in senior leadership roles in academia. Academe is a 'system that is unwelcoming to women and people of color' according to a Benchmarking Women's Leadership in the United States report.
