Leaders of Color in Higher Education: Unrecognized Triumphs in Harsh Institutions

(Paperback)

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This comprehensive study of leaders of color in higher education is a must-read for anyone wishing to understand and/or navigate a career path through the dangerous waters of white-controlled, status quo universities and community colleges in the United States. Based on interviews with pioneers in the field, the author draws upon their personal experiences - and his own-to examine the challenges and dilemmas facing minority members who choose the route of educational leadership. How creative leaders overcome these barriers to success in the academy is the major theme of the volume. The differing issues facing African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, American Indians, and women of color are all addressed in detail, and their commonalities noted. A list of helpful suggestions concerning activism, leadership style, institutional politics, mentorship, and roles are included to help those who contemplate this career path.

Reviews

It is striking to see that these highly accomplished professionals are not exempt from either the subtle or the blatant stereotypes and prejudice that ordinary minorities encounter on the street. * Electronic Magazine Of Multicultural Education *
This book is revealing and insightful. Both uplifting and yet sobering! The book, written by a person who has studied and practiced leadership, is the first of its kind to address the difficult circumstances faced by African American, Latino, Native American, Asian and women of color. The focus is comprehensive, historical, and includes current societal forces. It shares useful lessons learned and tells of personal successes. I believe many in higher education will reference it now and yet to come. Over time it will become the benchmark used to measure progress. -- Frank Brown, Ph.D, Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor of Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Author Bio

Leonard A. Valverde, began his education career, as a junior high school mathematics teacher, around the same time as the civil rights movement was starting. He was a teacher in East Los Angeles during the time of the Watts "Riots" and student walk-outs occurred. Shaped by these societal events and his upbringing as a second generation Mexican-American , his goal to work to bring about equal educational opportunity - was formed. Due to his actions to work toward his goal, he was recruited by Claremont Graduate University and awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship to study to be a change agent. Throughout his 35 years as an educator, he has remained true to be an agent for change and true to his goal and expanded it, i.e., to bring about social justice for persons of color. Specifically, through the roles he has assumed (Bilingual program director, math teacher supervisor, university professor, director of a research office, department chair, college dean, vice president for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies, and an now as executive director of a higher education consortium covering five southwest states) his efforts have been to make the educational enterprise more democratic and fair.