Even though diversity is currently conveyed as a ubiquitous principle within institutions of higher education, professionals of color still face issues such as discrimination, the glass ceiling, lack of mentoring, and limited access to career networks. Unfortunately, an open channel does not exist for professionals of color to express their frustrations and genuine concerns. The narratives in No Ways Tired present a powerful voice about the experiences of student affairs professionals of color in higher education, including intersecting identities such as race, class, and gender. Furthermore, the narratives are nuggets of personal truth that can serve as a lens for professionals of color who wish to develop strategies to succeed as they traverse their careers in higher education. Through the sharing of their visions of success, lessons learned, and cautionary tales, the authors openly offer insights about how they have created a way to survive and thrive within higher education in spite of challenges and distractions. They also articulate a vision where student affairs professionals of color can develop fully, be authentic, use their agency, and effectively contribute. This book includes recommendations for professionals of color at all levels within higher education and ways to construct opportunities to flourish. The ultimate goal for this book is to promote discussions regarding how professionals of color can be more proactive in developing strategies that are conducive to their professional and personal success as they navigate their higher education careers.

Even though diversity is currently conveyed as a ubiquitous principle within institutions of higher education, professionals of color still face issues such as discrimination, the glass ceiling, lack of mentoring, and limited access to career networks. Unfortunately, an open channel does not exist for professionals of color to express their frustrations and genuine concerns. The narratives in No Ways Tired present a powerful voice about the experiences of student affairs professionals of color in higher education, including intersecting identities such as race, class, and gender. Furthermore, the narratives are nuggets of personal truth that can serve as a lens for professionals of color who wish to develop strategies to succeed as they traverse their careers in higher education. Through the sharing of their visions of success, lessons learned, and cautionary tales, the authors openly offer insights about how they have created a way to survive and thrive within higher education in spite of challenges and distractions. They also articulate a vision where student affairs professionals of color can develop fully, be authentic, use their agency, and effectively contribute. This book includes recommendations for professionals of color at all levels within higher education and ways to construct opportunities to flourish. The ultimate goal for this book is to promote discussions regarding how professionals of color can be more proactive in developing strategies that are conducive to their professional and personal success as they navigate their higher education careers.

Even though diversity is currently conveyed as a ubiquitous principle within institutions of higher education, professionals of color still face issues such as discrimination, the glass ceiling, lack of mentoring, and limited access to career networks. Unfortunately, an open channel does not exist for professionals of color to express their frustrations and genuine concerns. The narratives in No Ways Tired present a powerful voice about the experiences of student affairs professionals of color in higher education, including intersecting identities such as race, class, and gender. Furthermore, the narratives are nuggets of personal truth that can serve as a lens for professionals of color who wish to develop strategies to succeed as they traverse their careers in higher education. Through the sharing of their visions of success, lessons learned, and cautionary tales, the authors openly offer insights about how they have created a way to survive and thrive within higher education in spite of challenges and distractions. They also articulate a vision where student affairs professionals of color can develop fully, be authentic, use their agency, and effectively contribute. This book includes recommendations for professionals of color at all levels within higher education and ways to construct opportunities to flourish. The ultimate goal for this book is to promote discussions regarding how professionals of color can be more proactive in developing strategies that are conducive to their professional and personal success as they navigate their higher education careers.

Even though diversity is currently conveyed as a ubiquitous principle within institutions of higher education, professionals of color still face issues such as discrimination, the glass ceiling, lack of mentoring, and limited access to career networks. Unfortunately, an open channel does not exist for professionals of color to express their frustrations and genuine concerns. The narratives in No Ways Tired present a powerful voice about the experiences of student affairs professionals of color in higher education, including intersecting identities such as race, class, and gender. Furthermore, the narratives are nuggets of personal truth that can serve as a lens for professionals of color who wish to develop strategies to succeed as they traverse their careers in higher education. Through the sharing of their visions of success, lessons learned, and cautionary tales, the authors openly offer insights about how they have created a way to survive and thrive within higher education in spite of challenges and distractions. They also articulate a vision where student affairs professionals of color can develop fully, be authentic, use their agency, and effectively contribute. This book includes recommendations for professionals of color at all levels within higher education and ways to construct opportunities to flourish. The ultimate goal for this book is to promote discussions regarding how professionals of color can be more proactive in developing strategies that are conducive to their professional and personal success as they navigate their higher education careers.

Much of the research and writing on faculty of color and persistence in the Academy speaks to mentoring, recruitment, retention, job satisfaction, and the Imposter Syndrome. Yet, in spite of the significance (though we are small in numbers) and necessity of faculty of color in the Academy, there is no literature to describe or explain our experiences with regards to our holistic (body, mind, and spirit) existence and persistence in the Academy. Some questions that persist for faculty of color include: How do I continue to persist in the professoriate either in the tenure-track or as a tenured professor? How can I just be me and still be a successful professor? Do I have to check certain parts of me at the door or can I bring all of who I am into the Academy? How can I teach, research, and serve with my whole self and still have my work valued and accepted? Do I have to do safe research/work or can I do the work that I am passionate about? This collection of chapters are the personal stories from faculty of color who have persisted in the Academy despite the sometimes very steep climb.