Off Limits to Asian Americans? Predicting the Pursuit of Higher Education Administration

Abstract

Asian/Pacific Islanders (APIs) in the U.S. have experienced an increase in population, and higher education faculty, rates over the past two decades. However, a parallel increase among API higher education administrators is absent. To explore this disparity, this study surveyed all 180 Asian/ Asian North American (AANA) faculty in graduate schools and seminaries affiliated with the Association of Theological Schools, focusing on faculty perspectives and experiences related to personal and leadership preference, mentors/role models, leadership training, cultural differences, and institutional fit, and the predictive strength of these on faculty pursuit of administrative roles. A total of 84 faculty responded to the survey, corresponding to a 47% response rate. Results indicate that, while at a general level, AANA faculty have considered pursuing administration, cultural and structural obstacles keep these faculty from the pursuit. Comparisons of frequency data and multivariate analysis reveal important nuances about this population of faculty. Predictors of the pursuit of administrator roles include personal (e.g., lifestyle fit, leadership training), perceptual (e.g., personality fit), and structural (e.g., AANA role models, opportunity to use leadership training received) variables. Both micro- and macro-level implications are considered.