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Exploring Black Women's Character Development and Ethical Leadership Development at Spelman College

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2015, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Higher Education (Education).
Character development is a central function of higher education. This phenomenological study describes Black women’s personal lived experiences with character development and ethical leadership development at Spelman College, America’s oldest historically Black college for women. The following research question guided the study: How do students at a historically Black women’s college describe their experiences with character development and ethical leadership development? The study also explored student’s thoughts about the academic and co-curricular programs that best prepared them to be ethical leaders. Interviews were conducted with 10 graduating seniors from the Class of 2014 Women of Excellence Leadership (WEL) series offered by the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement at Spelman College. Eight alumnae members of the WEL program were also interviewed to provide their thoughts about character development and ethical leadership development. Participants were asked to share the learning and skills they attributed to their experiences as undergraduate students and campus leaders. Finally, the Director of the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement was interviewed to provide an administrative perspective on character development and ethical leadership development. The theory referenced in this study is Gilligan’s (1988) work on women’s development which illustrates that women are more concerned with care, relationships, and connections with other people as they engage in moral and ethical development. The findings of this study suggest that a supportive environment and expectations for success, educational programs that focus on conscious Black feminist-activist development, opportunities to become leaders and learn about leadership, and faculty and alumnae interaction, mentoring and support influence character development and ethical leadership development of students at Spelman College. In addition, the participants shared expectations for seeking excellence in themselves, paying it forward or giving back to the community, and being a part of the Spelman legacy of global leaders. Thus, the findings of this study will contribute to understanding women’s character development and ethical leadership development in a historically Black women’s college setting, and expands the available research on college and character development. This study also provides insight into an integrated educational approach to the delivery of programs and services that support women’s character development and ethical leadership development in college and university settings.
Peter Mather, Dr. (Committee Chair)
Gordon Brooks, Dr. (Other)
David Horton, Dr. (Committee Member)
Valerie Martin Conley, Dr. (Committee Chair)
244 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Ferguson, K. M. (2015). Exploring Black Women's Character Development and Ethical Leadership Development at Spelman College [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1427997182

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ferguson, Kimberly. Exploring Black Women's Character Development and Ethical Leadership Development at Spelman College. 2015. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1427997182.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ferguson, Kimberly. "Exploring Black Women's Character Development and Ethical Leadership Development at Spelman College." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1427997182

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)