Black Tenure-track Faculty as Institutional Change Agents on Predominantly White

Campuses

Robbie J. Steward, Ph.D.Nina Ellis-Hervey, Ph.D.

Stephen F. Austin State University

TABPHE 41ST ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE/THECB STATE CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

Presentation Objectives

Black tenure-track academicians : Statistics

Unique Psychological-emotional experiences

Clarifying BEST Goals for optimal outcomes

Step-by-step guide for  ’system’ enhancement and goal attainment: (1) personal, (2) program, (3) departmental, (4) college/university, (5) professional, (6) societal

Statistics: Gender and Race

U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2012)

ESTABLISHING THE CONTEXT

Percentage of full-time faculty whose race/ethnicity was known, in postsecondary institutions, by academic rank, selected race/ethnicity, and sex: Fall 2011

Black Faculty among Highest Ranked JBHE(2005)

1.4% California Institute of Technology

TO

6.8% Emory University

AVERAGE 5.0%

Violins and Socialized Negative Group Self-Perceptions

Persisting reports of discrimination in hiring/promotion & tenure decisions

Faculty members’ failure to socialize students to pursue graduate/doctoral education and orient new faculty to academia

Absence of upper administration’s involvement in hiring; local program faculty control

Absence of mandated institutional policy to standardize diversity sensitive faculty recruitment and retention programming

Absence of mandated policy to standardize culturally-sensitive search committee activity

But let’s take a closer look at other shifting demographics::::::::::::::::

SOMETHING IS HAPPENING………………………

Degree & race/ethnicity

Number % distribution % conferred to

females

1999–2000 2009–10 1999–2000 2009–10 1999–2000 2009–10

Associate's 554,845 833,337 100.0 100.0 60.3 62.0

White 408,772 552,863 73.7 66.3 59.8 60.9

Black 60,221 113,905 10.9 13.7 65.2 68.3Bachelor's 1,198,809 1,602,480 100.0 100.0 57.5 57.4

White 929,106 1,167,499 77.5 72.9 56.6 56.0

Black 108,013 164,844 9.0 10.3 65.7 65.9

Master's 406,761 611,693 100.0 100.0 60.0 62.6

White 324,981 445,038 79.9 72.8 59.6 61.8

Black 36,595 76,458 9.0 12.5 68.2 71.1

Doctorate 106,494 140,505 100.0 100.0 47.0 53.3

White 82,984 104,426 77.9 74.3 45.4 51.4

Black 7,080 10,417 6.6 7.4 61.0 65.2

Something is happening…..has happened….something noteworthy…..Progress with limited system change!

POWERFUL

Acknowledging our status AND Acting in POWER

PRE-TENURE

Pre-tenure Presenter Introduction:Variables that Influence Perceptions

Family of Origin Educational/Professional Background Influences in choosing higher education

academician Current Employment Status Points of Personal Distinction

Status/Personality Characteristics

Pre-Tenure: Introspection & Accomplishments

Psychological-emotional Issues/AdjustmentsEffective Coping/Planning Strategies Identification of Critical GoalsAccomplishments as AcademicianAccomplishments as ‘System’ Change Agent

Acknowledging our status AND Acting in POWER

POST-TENURE

Post-tenure Presenter Introduction:Variables that Influence Perceptions

Family of Origin Educational/Professional Background Influences in choosing higher education

academician Current Employment Status Points of Personal Distinction

Status/Personality Characteristics

Post-Tenure: Introspection & Accomplishments

Psychological-emotional Issues/AdjustmentsEffective Coping/Planning Strategies Identification of Critical GoalsAccomplishments as AcademicianAccomplishments as ‘System’ Change Agent

Closing Statements:Unresolvable Issues, Reality, and

Recommendations

Thoughtfully Proceeding with

Confidence

QUESTIONS