Career pathways and experiences of women community college presidents
Date
2009
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Abstract
This study inquired into the experiences selected women community college presidents had on the pathway to their presidency. The study focused on women so that future women leaders might gain a better understanding of how others achieve senior-level positions at community colleges. This research employed a phenomenological approach to build on participants' first-person accounts of life experiences related to their career pathways. In-depth interviews with 14 women purposefully chosen as individuals who became community college presidents formed the basis for the data collected. The women reflected diversity in regard to how long they had served as presidents, whether the current presidency was their first, their experience in higher education administration, and the educational levels they had achieved. This study revealed that the career pathway to the presidency may be changing, at least for women. Additionally, three core themes emerged from the women's experiences that had an impact on their career pathway: their perspective and philosophies, career barriers and challenges, and the impact of influential individuals. This research adds to the body of knowledge about how women achieve a community college presidency.
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Subject
community college
community college presidents
women administrators
women presidents
community college education
women's studies
school administration
college presidents
educational administration