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The Urban Review

, Volume 46, Issue 4, pp 681–702 | Cite as

Women Faculty of Color: Stories Behind the Statistics

  • Bridget Turner Kelly
  • Kristin I. McCann
Article
First Online:

Abstract

In this qualitative study we address two primary research questions: What are the experiences of women faculty of color (WFOC) who departed the tenure track at predominantly White, research universities? Using the modified lens of the newcomer adjustment framework, what socialization factors may have contributed to the WFOCs’ departure? Through a longitudinal, in-depth examination of three WFOC who left their university prior to earning tenure, themes of gendered and racialized tokenization and isolation, a need for a more intrusive style of mentoring, and poor institutional fit were identified. Implications for future research on faculty members’ social identity and promising practices for faculty development are shared.

Keywords

Women faculty of color Tenure Socialization Faculty development 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Higher Education Program, School of EducationLoyola University ChicagoChicagoUSA

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