Experiences of International Women Faculty at One Striving University

Abstract

This study examined how the professional experiences of international women faculty are shaped by the institutional culture at one striving university. A qualitative design allowed for capturing unanticipated phenomena through three data sources: interviews, a focus group, and document analysis. All 12 participants in this study held tenure-track appointments, were foreign-born, and were raised outside the United States. Findings suggest that the institution studied exhibits many elements of a striving institutional culture. International status influenced the experiences of these faculty in different ways. Issues of gender were also present in their experiences, with many participants believing that being a woman was not professionally advantageous.