Additional information
by Kimetta R. Hairston (Editor), Tawannah G. Ed D. Allen (Editor)
The Ivory Tower: Perspectives of Women of Color in Higher Education highlights the voices of women of color in academia. When institutions ignore these voices by continuing to overlook the obstacles and experiences of women of color in higher education, they systematically derail their success. Hearing and understanding the firsthand accounts of women of color is a critical component in the recruitment, retention, and success of women of color. This book serves as the platform for allowing women of color to share their narratives. While it is important to acknowledge that women of color in the academe often face the double-jeopardy of race and gender bias, the chapter authors' personal experiences tout critical themes paramount for responding to these biases. As they rightfully take their place in higher education, these themes include establishing boundaries to promote socio-emotional preservation; recognizing the value of mentorship; becoming resilient during the journey; and acknowledging one's identity to be your authentic self.
Author Biography
Kimetta R. Hairston, PhD, is the associate vice president for regional centers and online programs at Bowie State University. She received her PhD in curriculum and instruction with an interdisciplinary certificate in diversity and disability studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is an American Council on Education Fellow (2018-2019), mother, grandmother, and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Tawannah G. Allen, EdD, is an associate professor of educational leadership studies in the Stout School of Education at High Point University. Her research focuses on women in leadership and the educational experiences of youths of color in K-12 public schools. She has served as a district level K-12 administrator, is a licensed speech-language pathologist, and earned her doctorate of education in leadership studies at The University of North Carolina.
