Date of Award

Summer 8-2-2025

Access Restriction

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate in Education

Department

Education

School or College

School of Education

First Advisor

Mary McCullough

Second Advisor

Cynthia Alcantar

Third Advisor

Juan Urdiales

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study (Leavy, 2017) explored the lived experiences of eight Latina Deans of Student Affairs serving at community colleges across Southern California. Guided by Yosso’s (2005) community cultural wealth (CCW) framework, the study examined how these midlevel leaders navigated career advancement and led equity-focused initiatives. The research focused on four forms of capital (Yosso, 2005)—)—aspirational, familial, navigational, and resistant—while also identifying emergent forms: advocacy, relational, and transformational capital. Although Latina/o students represent nearly half of the California Community Colleges student population, Latinas remain underrepresented in senior administrative roles. Through semistructured interviews, a widely used method in qualitative research (Creswell & Poth, 2018), this study addressed two central research questions: (1) How do Latina Deans of Student Affairs describe their pathways to higher leadership roles? and (2) What challenges do they face in advancing equity initiatives for student success? Findings revealed systemic barriers including institutional racism, gendered expectations, limited mentorship, and persistent microaggressions. Despite these challenges, participants used their cultural assets to mentor others, create inclusive programs, and advocate for institutional change. Their leadership reflects a commitment to social justice, community uplift, and student-centered transformation. This study expands the CCW (Yosso, 2005) framework and contributes to the literature on equity-minded leadership in higher education. It offers actionable recommendations for Latina leaders, community college districts, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, and policymakers. At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts have faced increased scrutiny, the voices of Latina Deans of Student Affairs underscore the need for sustained investment in culturally responsive leadership and equity-driven reform.

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