lived experiences of vice presidents for student affairs: a study exploring how social identity impacts leadership approach.

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20246974

This study aimed to both draw awareness and increase understanding of how lived experiences across race, gender and sexual orientation social identities impact the leadership approach of Vice Presidents for Student Affairs. As the student demographic becomes increasingly more diverse on college and university campuses, higher education leaders should begin to consider how social identities might impact their leadership approach. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) research tradition, this qualitative study proved specific ways in which Vice Presidents for Student Affairs (VPSAs) considered their identity as a leader. VPSAs reflected and recreated the details of their social identity experiences, shared what those lived experiences looked and felt like and how it shaped and informed them as a leader. VPSAs reflected on the meaning of their social identity experiences and how it impacted their approach to leadership. In this study, five findings emerged; (a) identity learning experiences, (b) environment, (c) graduate program or as a new professional role, (d) storytelling and (e) advancing cultural competency. Each finding was supported by subcategories that detailed specific ways in which this awareness and understanding of self and others emerged for the participants. The deep reflections of the participants and the emerged findings of this study are valuable to student affairs organizations and a variety of leaders who serve diverse organizations. The use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis as a research methodology illustrated the lived experiences of the participants and provided insightful reflection that could help increase identity awareness and understanding among leaders on diverse college campuses. Implications of this studys findings, insights named by the researcher and recommendations for future research are presented in the concluding chapter of this study.