The purpose of this study was to determine the existence of a glass ceiling effect within community colleges by examining faculty, staff and administrator's perceptions of a glass ceiling as it relates to the advancement of women at their institutions. This was done by using a cross-sectional survey administered electronically to faculty, staff and administrators in community colleges in the United States who were members of the American Association of Community Colleges. Four hundred fifty seven participants provided responses for the study. Results of ANOVA of perceptions of facilitators and barriers to advancement revealed there was a significant difference in perception between genders related to barriers to advancement, with females finding internal structural/job opportunities and organizational culture presenting more obstacles to advancement than males. Males significantly agreed more than females that a positive attitude toward women existed in their institutions. Females significantly agreed more than males that barriers hindered the advancement of women and that a glass ceiling existed in their institutions. Multiple regression analysis indicated gender was a significant predictor of perceptions of internal structural and organizational culture barriers to advancement. Work profile characteristics were not found to be significant predictors of the perception of facilitators or barriers. Logistic regression analysis indicated neither individual characteristics nor work profile characteristics were able to predict denial of promotion. These findings may be used to encourage those in authority who are able to make hiring and policy decisions to more closely examine the organizational structure, culture and climate in their institutions to foster an atmosphere conducive to productive work environments for all employees.

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The purpose of this study was to determine the barriers to advancement as perceived by women administrators in the California State University, and to identify those barriers perceived as the greatest obstacles. A twenty-one item questionnaire was developed through a comprehensive review of the literature and sent to 400 full-time women administrators holding a management position within the California State Universities. Seventy-one percent of the questionnaires were returned. Questionnaire results indicate that eleven items were categorized as “moderately important to important” barriers to advancement. Ten items were categorized as “slight to moderately important” barriers to advancement. No item on the questionnaire was considered “not a barrier” to advancement by the participants. The most serious barriers women must overcome if they wish to advance in administration have to do with lack of geographical mobility, role conflict between career and family, absence of mentoring or other support system unfamiliarity in negotiating politics within the male dominated “ole boys” system, and exclusion from the informal communication network. Perceptions of barriers were examined from the perspective of women who held different positions in the administrative hierarchy. No statistically significant differences in perceptions were found among the different steps of the hierarchical ladder. Perceptions of internal barriers were correlated to age, marital status, number of years in administration, size of institution, career path for advancement, and ultimate position desired. The ultimate position desired was the only significant predictor. Perceptions of external barriers were not correlated to age, marital status, number of years in administration, size of institution, career path for advancement, ultimate position desired; participants perceived external barriers to advancement similarly. The study provides recommendations for practice and future research.