| The purpose of this study is to explore through their own stories and journeys (storjourns), how lesbian leaders influence and transform dominant community college culture. Five lesbian leaders participated who held the position of Director, Associate Dean, Dean, Executive Vice President, and President/Executive Dean. This microethnographical inquiry divulges and makes public the actions, pathways and tools that these lesbian leaders in community colleges used to influence and transform their heteronormative community college cultures in ways of social, cultural, and educational justice and equity. Two research questions guided this inquiry: (1) In what ways do lesbian leaders of community colleges influence the dominant heterosexual community college culture? (2) In what ways do lesbian leaders of community colleges transform the dominant heterosexual community college culture?;These leaders' actions have proven to be successful throughout the progression of their careers as out lesbian leaders. The results of this study challenge lesbian leaders in community colleges to realize and help establish a new and fully inclusive culture by moving beyond a passive or adaptive style of leadership. Their pathways and tools are made public through this study for all other lesbian leaders to follow and use. One intended outcome of this study is for lesbian leaders to become or remain out and promote the community college mission of "open access" by bringing their whole selves to the leadership experience each day to influence and transform community colleges across the country.;A critical microethnography research design was used in this qualitative study to focus on a group of lesbian leaders in community college with a shared culture who seek social justice from homonegative college cultures through reflection, action and change. Their storjourns reveal through their own voices the tools and pathways used to influence and transform community colleges to be more socially, culturally, and educationally equitable for all who enter the doors and exact justice for all. Six evolutionary themes emerged from their storjourns: (1) Relationship Building and Coming Out in the Workplace (2) Safety (3) Mentorship (4) Policy and Power (5) Influencing Community College Culture (6) Transforming Community College Culture. |
