The Intersection between Leadership and Identity: Managing as a Counseling Center Director of Color. Issue 2 (3rd April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chin, Calvin R.; Singleton, Karen; Juarez, Reina
• Is Part Of: Journal of college student psychotherapy. Volume 36:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 190
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2022-04-03
• Subjects: Directors of color -- identity -- internal/external pressures -- unattainable expectations -- microaggressions -- negative stereotyping -- stereotype threat -- undermining -- projections -- over-identification; College students -- Mental health services -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.8914005
• DOI: 10.1080/87568225.2020.1792814
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 8756-8225

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Directors of color at college counseling centers face many challenges. In this article, three directors of color will describe the issues they face on a daily basis working in predominantly white institutions to illustrate how racial identities intersect with leadership. Included among the dynamics explored are the external pressures of unattainable expectations held by supervisors; microaggressions and negative stereotyping among peers; stereotype threat; and internal pressures around being undermined in racialized ways by staff; and managing projections and over-identifications among staff. We highlight the ways it can feel like walking a tightrope around serving the needs of a diverse staff. The article concludes by offering suggestions and next steps for supervisors of directors of color, staff of directors of color, and directors of color themselves.