The Ivory Ceiling of Service Work

This article introduces the concept of the "ivory ceiling," arguing that excessive and often unrewarded service work disproportionately hinders the career advancement of women and faculty of color in academia. It posits that while service is a necessary component of academic life, the demands for such work often fall more heavily on marginalized groups due to institutional expectations and assumptions about their roles in fostering diversity and community. This imbalance, coupled with a lack of formal recognition and weight given to service in tenure and promotion decisions, diverts time and energy away from research and publication, which are typically prioritized. The article calls for a re-evaluation of how service is structured, evaluated, and rewarded within universities, advocating for clearer guidelines, equitable distribution of labor, and a more comprehensive definition of scholarly contributions that includes meaningful service, thereby allowing all faculty a more equitable path to success.