Connecting the Paths: Guiding Institutions and Administrators Into the Future

The path to success for African American women administrators in higher education institutions is diverse in many ways. Institutions or departments that create formal mentoring programs for mid-to senior level administrators may discover how useful these programs can be when helping Black women navigate the administrative culture of the institution. Institutions should also assess an additional component of mentoring that adds value to the professional experiences of Black women administrators: serving as mentors for students. Their career paths become examples for achieving success in student and academic affairs. There are several organizations that are based on specific disciplines but focus on issues related to minority communities. For both institutions and administrators, examining professional expectations, managing the institutional climate, providing opportunities for mentoring, encouraging community engagement, and supporting professional development will assist in the administrators’ development and success—thereby leading to institutional success—as they pursue their life’s work.