UC San Diego

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) play a vital role in the American cultural landscape, embodying a rich diversity of approximately 50 ethnic groups and over 100 languages. This diverse population encompasses heritage from Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and other Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries. AAPIs have the fastest growth rate among all racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., with an increase from 10.5 million to 18.9 million—an impressive 81%—between 2000 and 2019 (U.S. Census). However, this population growth does not translate into proportional representation in leadership. A significant gap exists, particularly affecting AAPI women, who face compounded disparities as they navigate their dual minority status. The pressing issue is the lack of AAPI women in higher education leadership positions, where they account for less than one percent of leadership roles and experience the largest gender gap of any racial or ethnic group in the education sector. This dissertation explores the experiences of AAPI women in senior leadership roles within a large public research university system (R1) in California. It investigates how the intersection of race, culture, and gender identities shapes AAPI women's career pursuits, the organizational and social barriers they face, and the support they receive. The study seeks to understand why these women choose to pursue careers in higher education, identify factors contributing to their success, define their unique leadership styles, and how they make sense of their leadership journeys relative to their racial, cultural, and gender identities. Intersectionality and the Asian Critical (AsianCrit) Theory comprised the conceptual framework for this study, using a qualitative approach and phenomenological research design aimed to shed light on the lived experiences that have influenced the career mobility and leadership of the AAPI women. Ultimately, this dissertation aspires to contribute to the existing body of scholarship on AAPI women leaders.