| This dissertation was designed to study the professional and personal factors that advanced the career development of three African American upper-level female community college administrators. At the time of this investigation, each participant was employed, as a vice president or associate vice president, within the same community college system located in the southern region of the United States. Though instances of racism and sexism have had an impact on the careers of African American female administrators in general, the emphasis of this project centered on how these participants, in particular, were able to succeed. The qualitative methodology, multi-case study, guided this investigation, and the structured interview was used to collect data. That means, through the use of an interview guide, the researcher: (a) studied what professional and personal factors participants believe augmented their career succession and (b) assessed whether or not informants' experiences typify the recurring themes discovered in the literature review. |
