Leading at the crossroads: Understanding how identity influences presidential communication for Black community college presidents

Abstract

Research on leadership is historically biased, with little consideration for different experiences of leaders of color. In this study, we applied the integrated race and leadership framework (Ospina Foldy, 2009) and utilized a case study approach focused on the context of institutional communication to analyze the experiences of six Black community college presidents. The study was guided by the overarching question of how racial identity guided what and how presidents communicated. Our findings indicate that these presidents of color viewed their communication through a social justice lens, while also recognizing their responsibility to the institution. Five themes were identified that highlight the strategies and approaches these presidents take when communicating to their campus, including: 1) a consciousness of who is listening, 2) a sense of racial battle fatigue, 3) a focus on local impact, 4) connection and support from the community, and 5) the skill of racial and social adaptation.

Uniquely called: African American community college presidents promoting equitable student success

“…(2021) focused on how Black community college presidents mentored students around antiracism. An extension of that study also focused specifically on how racial identity influenced presidents’ perception of their communication skills (McNaughtan & Hotchkins, 2021). Before this research, Vaughn (1989) penned a descriptive analysis of survey results gathered by the National Council of Black American Affairs.…”

“Coalition of the Willing”: Promoting Antiracism Through Empowering Community College Campus Members

“…In this research, we recognize that institutional preparedness to respond to racism on campus is predicated on the experiences of community college leaders, in this case presidents. Moreover, while community college presidents of varied racial backgrounds have attempted to create antiracist campus environments, this research focuses on community college presidents of African descent 1 (Bradley, 2019; McNaughtan & Hotchkins, 2021; Phelps et al, 1997; Vaughan, 1989). To this point, the purpose of this study is to unpack the experiential knowledge and actions of six Black community college presidents by highlighting how antiracism is communicated, and the rationale for creating opportunities to disrupt racism within predominantly White campus environments.…”

The leadership style of women of color in college presidencies: a content analysis of their leadership communications

“…Sensegiving is the mechanism presidents use to shape communication and influence perception (Eddy, 2005;Legon et al, 2013;McNaughtan & Hotchkins, 2021). Presidents become sensegivers in times of strategic change by utilizing institutional values to inform communication (Gioia & Chittipeddi, 1991;McNaughtan & Hotchkins, 2021).…”