Cultivating strategies for success: How mid-level women leaders of color in student affairs navigate the balance of work and family

2012-05-07Historically, women’s struggle with work-life balance has been founded upon societal expectations. Most notable is the dearth in the representation of women and women of color in top leadership positions. As a result, the challenges they navigate lead them to cultivate alternative strategies and support networks to succeed. The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges, support systems, and strategies utilized by mid-level women leaders of color in student affairs to balance work and life. ❧ A qualitative method of study, triangulated by the use of interviews, artifact analysis, and observations, was utilized to explore a case study consisting of three female participants. All participants had a family, were married or lived with a partner for a minimum of five years, worked in a mid-level student affairs leadership role for a minimum three to five years, and lived in southern California. Furthermore, participants identified as Latina, African American, and Asian American. ❧ Mid-level student affairs leaders of color in this study experienced challenges associated with the push and pull between the internal and external societal and cultural expectations to be successful at work and home, the struggle with lack of time to do it all, budget cuts, being understaffed, and a lack of a support network along their pathway towards advancement. Rooted in their upbringing, their success begins and ends with their family and is sustained by their utilization of a “village of support” to navigate challenges they experience. Furthermore, while remaining true to their identity was critical to their success, they espoused strategies including multitasking, strong organization skills, and strategic use of time to succeed in both spheres