This book addresses difficulties faced by African Americans in reaching the highest levels of administration in white colleges and universities. The nine chapters were written by African Americans who currently hold or have held senior-level administrative positions (deans, vice-presidents, and presidents) in predominantly white colleges and universities. An introductory chapter by the editor summarizes themes concerned with academic climate, perseverance and performance, motivation and inspiration, and future trends. The included papers are: (1) "Succeeding Against the Odds in Higher Education: Advancing Society by Overcoming Obstacles Due to Race and Gender" (Reatha Clark King); (2) "From Cotton Picker to University CEO" (Charlie Nelms); (3) "Succeeding as a Female African American President of a Predominantly White College" (Vera Farris); (4) "On the Outside Looking In" (Marie McDemmond); (5) "A Meaningful Contribution" (Horace Judson); (6) "A Dream Turned into Reality" (Althia deGraft-Johnson); (7) "All American Dream/African American Reality" (Wesley Harris); (8) "Out of the Mainstream: An Unorthodox Pathway to the Office of Graduate Dean" (Barbara Solomon); and (9) "Observations and Intuitions" (William B. Harvey). (DB)