Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to explore through their own stories and journeys
(storjourns), how lesbian leaders influence and transform dominant community
college culture. Five lesbian leaders participated who held the position of Director,
Associate Dean, Dean, Executive Vice President, and President/Executive Dean. This
microethnographical inquiry divulges and makes public the actions, pathways and
tools that these lesbian leaders in community colleges used to influence and transform
their heteronormative community college cultures in ways of social, cultural, and
educational justice and equity. Two research questions guided this inquiry:
1. In what ways do lesbian leaders of community colleges influence the dominant
heterosexual community college culture?
2. In what ways do lesbian leaders of community colleges transform the dominant
heterosexual community college culture?
A critical microethnography research design was used in this qualitative study
to focus on a group of lesbian leaders in community college with a shared culture who
seek social justice from homonegative college cultures through reflection, action and
change. Their storjourns reveal through their own voices the tools and pathways used
to influence and transform community colleges to be more socially, culturally, and
educationally equitable for all who enter the doors and exact justice for all. Six
evolutionary themes emerged from their storjourns:
1. Relationship Building and Coming Out in the Workplace
2. Safety
3. Mentorship
4. Policy and Power
5. Influencing Community College Culture
6. Transforming Community College Culture
These leaders actions have proven to be successful throughout the progression
of their careers as out lesbian leaders. The results of this study challenge lesbian
leaders in community colleges to realize and help establish a new and fully inclusive
culture by moving beyond a passive or adaptive style of leadership. Their pathways
and tools are made public through this study for all other lesbian leaders to follow and
use. One intended outcome of this study is for lesbian leaders to become or remain out
and promote the community college mission of open access by bringing their whole
selves to the leadership experience each day to influence and transform community
colleges across the country.
