Abstract
This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the lived leadership experience of Latina administrators at Emerging Hispanic Serving Institutions (eHSIs). Campus environments are confronted with a growing diversity of students in higher education, an increasing number of Hispanic Serving Institutions and Emerging Hispanic Serving Institutions, and a changing political climate. There are a low number of Latina leaders at the administrative levels in higher education. This research study sought to understand and hear the voices of Latina administrators' lived experiences as they navigate being leaders at eHSIs. Twenty Latina administrators at eHSIs participated in interviews and shared cultural artifacts from their office spaces. Three themes that emerged from the data collected were comunidad, Latinidad, and healing. Latina leaders bridge worlds among students, Latino/a/x/e families, Latino/a/x/e communities, colleagues, professional organizations, and higher education institutions, cultivating understanding and collaboration. Based on the findings, a disconnected community within higher levels of leadership exists. Thus, the Bridging Worlds Awareness Training Program provides strategies for leaders to be mindful of leaders from different backgrounds. In addition, from the findings, Latina administrators encountered challenges advancing roles. The Latina Leaders Toolkit offers tools to aid leadership advancement. The training program and toolkit provide the opportunity to be a healing leader. This would improve bringing together people of different backgrounds to incorporate different perspectives, and allow Latina leaders equal opportunity to succeed.