“Feeling Like a Grape in the Middle of an Orange Field”: Experiences of First-Generation Women Senior Leaders in Student Affairs

The representation of women in leadership roles in colleges and universities remains notably inadequate. Given the lack of representation, one must consider the value of social capital that stems from environmental experiences, leadership development, and support women leveraged to overcome obstacles and persist on their professional journey up the organizational hierarchy. Often unnoticed are the integration of first-generation experiences into women's leadership, the reciprocal impact of one's identity as a first-generation leader on the organization, and the journey toward the senior cabinet. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the influence of the environment, impactful developmental experiences, and supportive measures of first-generation women senior leaders in student affairs (n = 8), while also investigating their motivations for leadership. From an inductive analysis of the data, three main themes emerged: (a) external encouragement catalyzed self-actualization, (b) traversing ambiguous gender and race-based obstacles, and (c) first-generation identity provided roots for success. The interviews unveiled a nuanced evolution in the participants' perspectives on leadership and how they saw themselves in leadership roles over time. Despite facing formidable obstacles as first-generation women (FGW), their stories emphasized a remarkable persistence in their dedication to leadership. Recommendations for practice include the development of supportive networks; overhauling procedures, processes, and norms that uphold systemic barriers to senior leadership; addressing unconscious bias and ensuring equity in hiring and pay; and installation of programming that maximizes the first-generation experience through skills and leadership development.