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S. Craig Mourton, Ph.D. is a 2025 graduate of the PHD Program in Leadership and Change at Antioch University.

Craig Mourton at his Dissertation Defense.

From L-R: Dr. Harriet Schwartz, Committee Chair, Dr. Lem Watson, Committee Member, Dr. Travis Schermer, Committee Member

Dissertation Committee

  • Harriet Schwartz, PhD, Committee Chair
  • Lem Watson, EdD, Committee Member
  • Travis Schermer, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

higher education, student affairs, mid-level leadership, social identity theory, multidimensionality, hegemonic masculinity, critical whiteness theory, heteronormativity, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, ideal worker

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the lived experience of mid-level student affairs leaders who identify as cisgender, gay, White, and male in order to further understand the multidimensionality of embodying both privileged as well as marginalized identities. Four participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide and the resulting transcripts were analyzed utilizing the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) perspective. Experiential themes that emerged from the analysis of the individual cases as well as across the cases include unintended pathways into the field of student affairs, experiences of challenging heterosexual male supervisors and the preference for women supervisors, experiences of bias, strategies utilized to navigate privileged identities, and the role that the COVID-19 pandemic had on prioritizing the pursuit of life-work balance. Overarching themes of the tension between the values and expectations of student affairs and the pursuit of work life balance as well as the complexity of navigating the multidimensionality of privileged and oppressed identities are discussed. Unanticipated findings include the level of variation in the salience of the participants gay identity as well as the scarceness of reference to masculinity. Implications for leadership, the scope of the study, and areas for further research are also discussed. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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S. Craig Mourton

ORCID: #0009-0004-7646-719X

S. Craig Mourton received his B.S in Education from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State), completed 20 hours towards an M.S. in Guidance and Counseling at Missouri State and received his Master of Professional Studies in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz. He has been at Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ) for more than 20 years, serving in the roles of Director of Student Life, Assistant Dean of Students for Campus Community Development, Associate Provost, Deputy Campus Executive, Interim Campus Executive, all on the Metro Campus and since July 1 of 2021 has been serving in the University role of Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. In addition to his administrative role, he is an adjunct faculty member for the FDU School of Education, Sports Administration and Public Administration programs where he teaches graduate level courses in organizational communication/conflict resolution, organizational leadership/team development, and peer mentoring for higher education.

Prior to coming to Fairleigh Dickinson University, he was the Assistant Director of College Activities at SUNY New Paltz. In addition to experience in student activities, he has also worked in Residence Life at both SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Geneseo. He is certified in conflict mediation and has been active in mediation at the university and community level. He has also completed training in Non-Violent Communication and with the National Coalition Building Institute. Areas of specialty include Ally Development, Ethical Leadership, Leadership for Social Change, and the Relational Model of Leadership Development. Having played the double bass for more than 40 years, he also enjoys freelancing with local orchestras in Orange County, New York, where he resides with his husband and multiple cats and dogs.

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