On Being the Solo Faculty Member of Color

Abstract

In 1988, Duke University had a plan. In a large effort to diversify their faculty, each of their 56 departments was mandated to hire one black faculty member within five years. Five years later, administrators conceded that although 25 new black faculty members had been hired, 18 had left the university. What the administrators may have failed to recognize is that hiring only one person of color per academic department can create demonstrable negative experiences and outcomes directly attributable to the situation of solo status, or being the only member of one's racial group in the department. In this chapter, I review research addressing the issues faced by junior faculty of color (JFC) who face, as these newly hired black faculty likely faced, being one of few or the only person of color in his or her department. This research provides insight into the heightened visibility experienced by such faculty members and how it influences the career experiences of JFC, and suggests potential strategies for reducing negative outcomes.