UC Davis

Latinx students constitute the fastest and largest growing segment of the population in California community colleges (CCCs), with roughly 45% of students identified as Latinx. Yet Latinx representation among faculty and administrators lags behind, with very modest gains in representation in the faculty and academic administrator ranks (Bates et al., 2018; Contreras, 2017). Utilizing qualitative methods, through elite interviews, this study delves into the perspectives and experiences of Latinx presidents in enhancing diversity in hiring practices at HSCCs. Findings revealed the unique challenges Latinx presidents encounter in advancing equity in hiring initiatives and highlights opportunities for transformative change. By amplifying the voices of Latinx presidents, this research addresses a critical gap in the existing literature, moving beyond mere strategies to operationalizing experiences in navigating institutional politics to promote equity in hiring. The study underscores the importance of Latinx presidents in shaping and implementing diversity initiatives, offering valuable insights into their racialized experiences as candidates and as leaders. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the representation of Latinx faculty and administrators in CCCs. By centering the perspective of Latinx presidents, this study offers actionable strategies for fostering greater inclusivity and representation within community college settings.