Lisa Marie Portugal, M.A.Ed.

This paper discusses the issues and challenges associated with diversity leadership initiatives currently in place within institutions of higher learning. The writer will address qualities associated with effective transformational leadership in higher education and how those abilities can positively affect an institution’s desire to build a diverse faculty. Topics discussed include the debate over the lack of qualified doctoral candidates of color for higher education employment and developing institutional strategic plans and initiatives for diversity faculty leadership agendas. In addition, the writer will discuss faculty diversification efforts that have been successful with Asian Americans and Anglo American women yet, these same initiatives continue to underrepresent Hispanics, African Americans, and American Indian groups. Finally, the writer will analyze the lack of diversity representation in higher education and how institutions can foster, develop, search, and hire accomplished women and individuals of color.