Book Review: Women of Color in Higher Education: Changing Directions and New Perspectives by Jean-Marie, G., & Lloyd-Jones, B. (Eds.).

Abstract

Jean-Marie, G., & Lloyd-Jones, B. (Eds.). (2011). Women of Color in Higher Education: Changing Directions and New Perspectives: Vol. 10. Diversity in Higher Education. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group. 398 pp. ISBN13:9781780521824 (hardcover). Women of Color in Higher Education: Changing Directions and New Perspectives is Volume 10 in the Diversity in Higher Education series. Edited by Jean-Marie and Lloyd-Jones, this book is a collection of critical reflections of women of color in American higher education. The purpose of this book is to give voice to, and share the experiences of, women of color in the academy, which is scarcely extant in contemporary literature. The contributors collectively assess and dismantle the institutional barriers that exist for women of color in academe. In the same accord, they simultaneously take strident efforts toward developing practices and strategies that foster inclusivity and advancement. As Jean-Marie states, The selection of chapters reflects senior and emerging scholars who examine critical questions through empirical research, theoretical analyses, and personal narratives that simultaneously juxtapose the advancement of women of color with the barriers that persist in the academy. (p. xxv) Accordingly, the volume is thematically organized into four sections each consisting of four chapters. The first section, Promoting Equity for Women of Color: Benefits of Diversity, concerns the issues of access and equity women of color face in academe, specifically the barriers to advancement in the faculty and leadership ranks. The contributors examine the diversification, or lack thereof, of leadership; the underrepresentation of women of color in leadership roles at predominantly White Institutions; the obstacles African American women face as they journey to careers in collegiate athletics; faculty recruiting, hiring, and retention practices, which often contribute to further marginalization of women of color; and best practices for advancing African American women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields based on experiences at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The second section, Transforming the Culture: Women Faculty and Administrators, presents strategies to counteract the barriers women of color face in academe, which ultimately assist in obtaining the visibility and enhancing the development needed to be successful. Mentoring of faculty and administrators is examined, including its influence on transforming the academic climate and facilitating the advancement of women of color. The diversity narratives of tenured African American female faculty are shared, including their implications for women of color in similar contexts. This section concludes with an analysis of the trends of Asian American Pacific Islander women in specific positions within the higher education pipeline--from earned doctoral degrees through college/university presidents--in an effort to understand where the challenges and opportunities exist for this demographic in higher education. …