Leading at the Crossroads - Understanding How Identity Influences Presidential Communication for Black Community College Presidents

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by acoobca

Leadership research has historically reflected limited attention to the experiences of leaders of color. This study applies the integrated race and leadership framework and uses a case-study design to examine institutional communication experiences of six Black community college presidents. The analysis addresses how racial identity shapes what and how presidents communicate. Findings show these presidents view communication through a social justice lens while balancing responsibility to their institutions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Leadership challenges in higher education

Communication demands and community college pressures

SPECIAL ISSUE Striving for Social Justice and Equity in Higher Education education policy analysis archives A peer-reviewed, independent, open access, multilingual journal Arizona State University | Volume 29 Number 39 | March 29 , 2021 | ISSN 1068-2341 | | --- | --- | --- | Leading at the Crossroads: Understanding How Identity Influences Presidential Communication for Black Community College Presidents Jon McNaughtan & Bryan K. Hotchkins Texas Tech University United States Citation: McNaughtan, J., & Hotchkins B. K. (2021). Leading at the crossroads: Understanding how identity influences presidential communication for Black community college presidents. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 29(39). [https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.29.4694](https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.29.4694 This)[ This](https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.29.4694 This) article is part of the special issue, Striving for Social Justice and Equity in Higher Education, guest edited by Irina Okhremtchuk, Caroline Turner, & Patrick Newell. Abstract: Research on leadership is historically biased, with little consideration for different experiences of leaders of color. In this study, we applied the integrated race and leadership framework (Ospina & Foldy, 2009) and utilized a case study approach focused on the context of institutional communication to analyze the experiences of six Black community college presidents. The study was guided by the overarching question of how racial identity guided what and how presidents communicated. Our findings indicate that these presidents of color viewed their communication through a social justice lens, while also recognizing their responsibility to the institution. Five themes were identified that highlight the strategies and approaches these presidents take when communicating to their campus, including: 1) a consciousness of who is listening, 2) a sense of racial battle fatigue, 3) a focus on local impact, 4) connection and support from the community, and 5) the skill of racial and social adaptation. Keywords: college president; leadership; social justice; communication Liderar en la encrucijada: Comprender cómo la identidad influye en la comunicación presidencial para los presidentes negros de colegios comunitarios Resumen: La investigación sobre liderazgo tiene poca consideración por las diferentesexperiencias de los líderes de color. En este estudio, aplicamos el marco integrado de raza y liderazgo (Ospina & Foldy, 2009) y utilizamos un enfoque de estudio de caso centradoen el contexto de la comunicación institucional para analizar las experiencias de seis presidentes negros de colegios comunitarios. El estudio se basó en la cuestión general decómo la identidad racial guiaba qué y cómo se comunicaban los presidentes. Nuestroshallazgos indican que estos presidentes de color vieron su comunicación a través de una lente de justicia social, al mismo tiempo que reconocían su responsabilidad con la institución. Se identificaron cinco temas que resaltan las estrategias y enfoques que estos presidentes adoptan cuando se comunican con su campus, que incluyen: 1) una conciencia de quién está escuchando, 2) una sensación de fatiga por la batalla racial, 3) un enfoque en el impacto local, 4) la conexión y apoyo de la comunidad, y 5) la habilidad de adaptación racial y social. Palabras clave: presidente de colegio; liderazgo; justicia social; comunicación Liderando na encruzilhada: Entendendo como a identidade influencia acomunicação presidencial para presidentes negros de faculdades comunitárias Resumo: A pesquisa sobre liderança não leva em consideração as diferentes experiências de líderes negros. Neste estudo, aplicamos a estrutura integrada de raça e liderança (Ospina & Foldy, 2009) e utilizamos uma abordagem de estudo de caso focada no contexto da comunicação institucional para analisar as experiências de seis presidentes negros defaculdades comunitárias. O estudo foi guiado pela questão abrangente de c

FAQs

What framework and research approach were used in the study?

The study used the integrated race and leadership framework and a case study approach focused on institutional communication contexts.

How did the presidents’ racial identity influence their communication?

The study examines how racial identity guided both what and how the presidents communicated, shaping their messaging through a social justice lens.

What themes were identified from the presidents’ experiences?

Five themes were identified: awareness of who is listening, racial battle fatigue, focus on local impact, connection and support from the community, and skills for racial and social adaptation.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by acoobca