Multicultural Leadership in Higher Education

Abstract

Women and people of color are vastly underrepresented in the American professoriate; although the presence of female faculty and professors of color is beneficial to the academy on various levels, these groups often face numerous barriers and challenges while serving in the professoriate and striving for promotion and tenure. This study was designed to investigate demonstrated multicultural awareness and positive work environment with regard to race, gender, or a combination within academic departments to help academic leaders better develop and understand multicultural leadership. Data were collected from 650 tenured and tenure-track faculty through an online questionnaire. The data analysis revealed that males and females of color within the professoriate report a less positive work environment than Caucasian faculty.