Asian American Leaders in Higher Education

Asian Americans are disproportionately underrepresented in U.S. higher education as administrative leaders. According to the American College President Study produced by the American Council on Education, “Asian Americans made up only 2.7% of all college and university presidents in 2022 while Caucasians represented 72.6%” (Nguyen, 2024). This research explores the experiences and career trajectories of Asian American administrative leaders within higher education systems. Using a qualitative approach, this research examines existing case studies, interviews, and peer-reviewed articles to identify how intersecting identities shape the experiences of Asian American leaders in higher education. The findings reveal that those from historically privileged groups often hold leadership roles, while marginalized groups, including Asian Americans, face systemic barriers to achieving positions of power. In addition, this research addresses disparities in access to mentors, strong networks, and support systems. “To counter these harsh realities, they form alliances, find identity-informed mentors, collaborate with others, or seek visibility through scholarship or professional service” (Hosoi, 2022). This research highlights the growing need to bridge the racial and gender divide among educational leaders. This study calls for reformative policies that promote greater inclusion and equity and the establishment of structures that equip Asian Americans with the resources and opportunities essential for career advancement in academia.