The Lived Experiences of African American Women in Student Affairs Leadership

African American women are underrepresented in student affairs administration (Breeden, 2021). Several barriers limit opportunities for career advancement for African American women in this field, including the lack of mentors, minimal decision-making power, and the impact of both sexism and racism (Davis et al., 2021). This qualitative phenomenological research study explored the lived experiences of African American women in student affairs leadership positions at 4-year public institutions in New York State. This study answered the following research questions: 1. What are the perceived barriers that African American women experience when seeking career advancement in student affairs? 2. What strategies have African American women used to overcome perceived barriers related to career advancement in student affairs? 3. From the perspective of African American women in student affairs, how can higher education institutions better support their leadership, career development, and opportunities for advancement? Data were collected through semi-structured interviews of four African American women serving in a director position or higher. Several themes emerged from this research study. Barriers included: (a) inconsistent leadership, (b) lack of representation, (c) institutional psychological safety, and (d) bias. Career success strategies included: (e) Olivia Pope or firefighter, (f) councils, (g) “Just do it” mindset, (h) establishing and maintaining boundaries, (i) wearing a “coat of armor,” and (j) advocacy. Institutional supports included: (k) “Show me the (PD) money.” The findings from this study bring to light the barriers African American women continue to face, the strategies they use to navigate their journey in higher education student affairs, and the financial investment that student affairs professionals need to enhance their experiences, expertise, and leadership.