Date of Award
2025-05-18
Degree Name
PhD Leadership Studies
Dissertation Committee
Cheryl Getz, EdD Nydia Sánchez, PhD Viridiana Diaz, EdD
Keywords
Leadership, Latina leadership, Latinidad, decolonized methodology, pláticas, testimonios, intersectionality
Abstract
The Latinx student population has emerged as the fastest-growing demographic in the United States. Despite the increasing number of Latina students in higher education institutions, the administrative leadership does not reflect the student demographics. This qualitative study investigates the lived experiences of Latina directors within public four-year higher education institutions. Guided by two research questions: In what ways do Latinas, in higher education leadership positions incorporate Latinidad into their leadership identity and style? What factors (if any) support or challenge Latinas leading in culturally authentic ways in higher education? This study employs decolonized research methods by partnering with Latina participants as co-researchers in pláticas and testimonios. By centering the participants’ experiences, I honor their history, voice, knowledge, and values.
The main findings of this study reveal, Latinidad is a process wherein the participants develop a sense of cultural pride, a deep honor of their ancestors, and a collectivist approach to leadership. They navigate the white ivory tower by leadership code-switching, adapting traditional methods of leadership to advocate for their programs, communities, and students. The participants modify traditional norms of professionalism to minimize being perceived as threatening.
I explored the pivotal role Latinas play in higher education director-level positions, emphasizing their contributions to decolonizing leadership, community building, and leveraging their linguistic skills for broader institutional impact. The findings underscore the significant benefits of supporting the professional development of Latinas and integrating their leadership into director roles. This research highlights the necessity of adopting decolonized leadership approaches to fulfill institutional missions effectively. This study impacts the social mobility of Latinas and their communities. It empowered Latinas to share their testimonios with others and recognize the strength in their values, wisdom, and knowledge that comes from Latinidad. There is a great need to provide professional development and advancement opportunities for Latinas.
Latinas possess a profound understanding of their identities and values, which often align with the core principles of higher education, such as access to education, social mobility, and equity. This alignment facilitates their development into leadership roles, as they are clear about their aspirations and goals. Latinas are a cultural asset to any institution.
Document Type
Dissertation: Open Access
Department
Leadership Studies
Digital USD Citation
San Miguel, Donna, "Latinas Leading with Latinidad: Incorporating the Latina Identity into Leadership" (2025). Dissertations. 1069.
https://digital.sandiego.edu/dissertations/1069
Copyright
Copyright held by the author
Included in
Higher Education Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social Justice Commons
