Experiences of International Women Faculty at One Striving University

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.