Nigeria’s international reputation can disadvantage entrepreneurs through a “liability of origin.” Interviews with 12 nation-branding practitioners and policymakers show that trust cannot be repaired quickly through slogans. Credible nation branding requires managing tensions between promises and delivery, and between demands for rapid reputational improvement and the slow pace of institutional reform.

This research reinterprets unionization at Carleton University in the 1970s, showing it was driven not only by economic pressures but by feminist activism. Women leaders used unions to challenge inequality, improve working conditions, and advance social justice, reshaping assumptions about labor movements in professional, white-collar environments.

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of African American women in senior leadership roles at Texas higher education institutions. Addressing persistent underrepresentation, the study aims to move beyond awareness by generating actionable strategies to recruit, retain, and advance African American women into leadership positions where they can thrive.