Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Date
2021
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Higher & Adult Education
Committee Chair
Ronald Platt
Committee Member
Ding-Jo Currie
Committee Member
Wendy Griswold
Committee Member
Todd Zoblotsky
Abstract
Successfully leading transformative diversity culture change is one of the most significant challenges facing modern higher education. This study sought out campus diversity officers perceptions, shaped by their lived experiences as diversity practitioners, to identify and deeply understand diversity leadership practices that they perceived to be most effective in transforming diversity culture on higher education campuses. A Q-methodology was used to investigate the subjective perceptions of campus diversity officers with membership in the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education and who represented numerous institution types, including four-year public, four-year private, and community colleges. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, the Q-methodology research design provided for capturing these campus diversity officers beliefs and viewpoints regarding effective diversity leadership practices. Data analysis indicated three statistically significant factors that were named in the study: (1) All Hail the Chief Diversity Officer, (2) Change Takes All of Us, and (3) Minding the Politics of Diversity. In addition to the statistical analysis, post-sort interviews were conducted for each emergent factor, thus providing further insight into the diversity officers perceptions of effective diversity leadership practice and diversity culture change. The findings indicated that, while campus diversity officers perceived that there were three approaches to leadership for diversity culture change, leadership practices are dynamic and should be considered situationally to ensure their effectiveness. Further, the studys findings revealed that allocating adequate institutional resources for change efforts was among the most effective practices. The findings from this study revealed recommendations for practice for higher education leaders seeking to advance diversity culture change on their campus and recommendations for continued study in this area.
Library Comment
Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest
Recommended Citation
Porter, Bobbie R., "Understanding the Subjective Perceptions of Higher Education Diversity Practitioners on Effective Leadership Practices for Transformational Campus Diversity Culture Change" (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2718.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/2718
Comments
Data is provided by the student.