I help leaders grow as individuals so they can sustain in the positions to which they aspire.
Dr. Sobers is a scholar practitioner interested in the resilience of women in leadership and creating pathways for aspiring leaders (and those that support them) to get to senior leadership positions. Her research is an extension of her mission to help others realize and maximize their talents and potential.
RESILIENCE TREE – A MODEL FOR ASPIRING LEADERS:
Ever wondered why there are so few women (and women of color) represented in senior/executive leadership, how to avoid burn out before reaching senior/executive leadership, or how to empower a staff member whom you believe has potential? Below is a link to my ~12 minute Student Affairs (SA) Speaks presentation (TED Talk style) at the 100th NASPA Annual Conference at the Philadelphia Convention Center. The talk provides an overview of the Resilience Tree model (roots, branches, leaves, and environment) based on my qualitative research and lived experience.
#leadership #empower #resiliency #resiliencetree #qualitativeresearch #persistence #women #CanIGetAWitness
“Whether you identify as a Black woman or you work with, supervise, mentor, or care about one this will benefit you and hopefully our entire profession not only creating a pipeline singularly but multiple pathways to women in senior/executive leadership…” ~Dr. Sobers
RESILIENCE WORKSHEETS AND RESOURCES:
- View the Resilience Tree Model for the prompts needed to complete the worksheet.
- Create your own Resilience Tree using the Resilience Tree Worksheet.
- Reflect on your own or discuss the Resilience Tree Model using the Resilience Tree Reflection Questions.
- Listen to Podcast Interviews featuring Dr. Sobers talking about the Resilience Tree Model among other topics.
RESILIENCE PUBLICATIONS:
- Sobers, S. T. (In Progress). Resilience Tree: Growing Pathways to Leadership for Women of Color (and Those Who Support Theme). SelfPublishN30Days.
- Sobers, S. T. (2020). Advancing to Leadership As A Person of Color. In Palmer, D. M., Sobers, S. T., White, E.V., Traylor, L.S., Paul, D., Kleiber, J., Crawford, G., Lotts, K., Palmer, S., & Lawson, M. The Footprint of Success: Stories of Impact from Leaders & Entrepreneurs. (pp. 79-89). SelfPublishN30Days.
- Sobers, S. T. (2014). A Mentors Role in the Advancement of Black Women in and to Senior Administrator Positions. In Dominguez, N. & Gandert, Y. (Eds.). 6th Annual Mentoring Conference Proceedings: Impact & Effectiveness of Developmental Relationships. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico
- Sobers, S. T. (2014). Can I Get a Witness? The Resilience of Four Black Women Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAOs) at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Doctoral Dissertation. University of the Pacific.
- McNair, D., Betchel, M., Miguel, K., Sobers Young, S., Seal, S, &. Jacobson, S, (2014). Women in Student Affairs: Past, Present, and Future Leaders. NASPA Journal about Women in Higher Education.
REVIEWS OF DR. SOBERS:
“The research on Black women who are Senior Student Affairs Officers as predominantly white institutions of higher education (PWIs) offers insight into the personal and professional experiences of these executive-level leaders. The findings from the study highlight the need to continue supporting the development of leaders of color and to continue combating micro-aggressions in the workplace. Although some characterize the early 21st century as “post-racial” the narratives of this study’s participants remind us that race is still a salient factor in the ways that others view them. A major finding from the study is that “traditional” ways of mentoring may not work for women of color who are often in a double-bind: They’re judged more harshly than their peers and when they reach out for help, this may be seen as a sign of weakness rather than strength. In addition, mentors who reach out to aspiring leaders of color need to focus first on developing a relationship of mutual trust then on professional development. This study reminds educators that conversations about race need to continue in order to combat oppression and inequality.”
~Dr. Delores McNair, Associate Professor, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Dr. Shauna Sobers is a graduate of the Benerd School of Education’s doctoral program. She was a strong and serious student and is an outstanding researcher. More to the point, though, Dr. Sobers is a fine person, a committed and ethical leader, and fine colleagues, mentor (and mentee) and friend. I recommend her without reservation.
~Dr. Lynn Beck Brallier, Retired Dean, Benerd School of Education, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
*See additional reviews of Dr. Sobers
*See Past Clients List
*See Curriculum Vitae