"Reclaiming our time, reclaiming our time!" Black women student affairs mid-level administrators talk supervision at predominantly white institutions
Date
2021
Authors
Nathan, B., author
Carlson, Laurie, advisor
Hughes, Blanche, committee member
Leone, Deanna, committee member
Arthur, Tori, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The research is limited or nonexistent regarding; (1) Black Women student affairs mid-level administrators at predominantly white institutions, (2) the impact of both racism and sexism in student affairs supervision, (3) ways Black Women student affairs mid-level administrators challenge and resist racism and sexism in supervision, and (4) ways Black Women student affairs mid-level administrators supervise and want to be supervised. Black Feminist Thought served as the theoretical framework for this in-depth qualitative study seeking to understand the experiences of racism and sexism, how racism and sexism is challenged and resisted, and the various approaches of Black Women student affairs mid-level administrators in supervisor roles at predominantly white institutions. Using Sista Circle Methodology, data was collected primarily through sista circles. Data was presented through the use of poetry and spoken word to pay homage to the contributions of poetry made by Black Women. From the data, three theoretical constructs emerged: (1) The existence and prevalence of the 'T' word, Trauma, (2) Listen Up! I'm Speaking Now, and (3) What is the service of student affairs, supervision, and higher education? The findings support the need for transforming supervision in student affairs. Finally, the study confirmed student affairs administrators fail to acknowledge and analyze power structures and systems of oppression present within the job of supervising (Brown, R., Desai, S., & Elliott, C., 2020).