The focus of this research was to discover some commonalities in the experiences, perceptions, and characteristics of female administrators in an urban school system in Saskatchewan. Within the categories of experiences, perceptions, and characteristics, the study included gender socialization, barriers to promotion, mentors and networking, perceptions of power, personality qualities, leadership styles and masculine versus feminine qualities. These provided the structure for the surveys and the focus group sessions. As only one system was being studied, the population sample was too small for random sampling. Instead, all female administrators with more than one year of experience in the system were invited to participate. Surveys were sent out and volunteers were asked to participate in a focus group session which aided to clarify the results of the surveys. The data from the surveys were presented together with the findings of the focus group sessions. This study found that female administrators in elementary and secondary schools do share some common characteristics, perceptions, and experiences in their roles. Many women had been teaching for over 10 years before being promoted into administration. They had actively searched out other leadership opportunities before applying for administration. The women were divided evenly between those who had mentors (usually male) and those who did not. These mentor relationships were informal as the school system did not have a formal mentorship program in place. Many female administrators either already had and were working on their Masters degree. The elementary and high school principals as well as the high school assistant principals were primarily located at schools with smaller student populations, while the elementary vice principals were more evenly divided amongst schools of varying populations. Most of the women had been encouraged to apply for administration by their colleagues and administrators. Their families supported their decisions for the most part, but did not actively encourage them to seek promotion. These women decided to become administrators because they wanted to bring about change, wanted a challenge, or saw it as a natural progression in their career. Some women encountered barriers to promotion, mostly in being able to network as well as being the primary childcare giver at home. However, an overwhelming majority of women were hired as administrators after their first application. Most female administrators found it difficult to maintain a balance between their careers and their personal life, mostly due to family and career pressures. Yet, the married women acknowledged that their partners play a vital role in supporting them and helping make their career choices possible. The women felt marginalized from the staff, students and parents. They believed that peoples misperceptions of administrators in general were what led to this isolation. Many women challenged the traditions and policies of the school system, believing that change would bring positive outcomes. Most female administrators saw themselves as collaborative leaders and team players. They felt that open and trusting relationship with the staff were necessary for building community. They used consensus as the main method of decision-making. The women saw themselves as organized, enjoying people, having a sense of humour, being good listeners and communicators, being committed to education and being collaborative. This study has several implications. School systems should consider using formal mentorship programs. School boards need to be more sensitive to female administrators (or potential administrators) who become pregnant, rather than being more concerned with what is more convenient for the school board. School systems need to be more consistent and equitable with their job requirements and hiring practices. Selection committees need to be more aware of gender issues when conducting interviews for administration. Overall, school systems need to consider how their actions are affecting women in their system. Is the system fair for everyone? Most women are finding success as administrators but, as always, there is room for improvement in the system.

The focus of this research was to discover some commonalities in the experiences, perceptions, and characteristics of female administrators in an urban school system in Saskatchewan. Within the categories of experiences, perceptions, and characteristics, the study included gender socialization, barriers to promotion, mentors and networking, perceptions of power, personality qualities, leadership styles and masculine versus feminine qualities. These provided the structure for the surveys and the focus group sessions. As only one system was being studied, the population sample was too small for random sampling. Instead, all female administrators with more than one year of experience in the system were invited to participate. Surveys were sent out and volunteers were asked to participate in a focus group session which aided to clarify the results of the surveys. The data from the surveys were presented together with the findings of the focus group sessions. This study found that female administrators in elementary and secondary schools do share some common characteristics, perceptions, and experiences in their roles. Many women had been teaching for over 10 years before being promoted into administration. They had actively searched out other leadership opportunities before applying for administration. The women were divided evenly between those who had mentors (usually male) and those who did not. These mentor relationships were informal as the school system did not have a formal mentorship program in place. Many female administrators either already had and were working on their Masters degree. The elementary and high school principals as well as the high school assistant principals were primarily located at schools with smaller student populations, while the elementary vice principals were more evenly divided amongst schools of varying populations. Most of the women had been encouraged to apply for administration by their colleagues and administrators. Their families supported their decisions for the most part, but did not actively encourage them to seek promotion. These women decided to become administrators because they wanted to bring about change, wanted a challenge, or saw it as a natural progression in their career. Some women encountered barriers to promotion, mostly in being able to network as well as being the primary childcare giver at home. However, an overwhelming majority of women were hired as administrators after their first application. Most female administrators found it difficult to maintain a balance between their careers and their personal life, mostly due to family and career pressures. Yet, the married women acknowledged that their partners play a vital role in supporting them and helping make their career choices possible. The women felt marginalized from the staff, students and parents. They believed that peoples misperceptions of administrators in general were what led to this isolation. Many women challenged the traditions and policies of the school system, believing that change would bring positive outcomes. Most female administrators saw themselves as collaborative leaders and team players. They felt that open and trusting relationship with the staff were necessary for building community. They used consensus as the main method of decision-making. The women saw themselves as organized, enjoying people, having a sense of humour, being good listeners and communicators, being committed to education and being collaborative. This study has several implications. School systems should consider using formal mentorship programs. School boards need to be more sensitive to female administrators (or potential administrators) who become pregnant, rather than being more concerned with what is more convenient for the school board. School systems need to be more consistent and equitable with their job requirements and hiring practices. Selection committees need to be more aware of gender issues when conducting interviews for administration. Overall, school systems need to consider how their actions are affecting women in their system. Is the system fair for everyone? Most women are finding success as administrators but, as always, there is room for improvement in the system.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the career paths and preparation of female vice-presidents employed in community colleges in the state of Mississippi. There is limited qualitative information available that describes the career paths of vice-presidents in the state’s community colleges. Community colleges are making great strides in promoting women in leadership roles in administration, but research indicates there still seems to be a question as to the leadership ability of women. This study used the qualitative case study research approach, and 4 female community college vice-presidents shared their career experiences through in-depth interviews. The instruments included a brief demographic survey, interview guide and curriculum vita for each participant. Each participant in this study was currently serving in the position of vice-president in 1 of Mississippi’s community colleges. The conceptual framework of the study illustrates the exploration of female community college administrators in the areas of career paths, professional responsibilities and career aspirations. The participants described their career paths to their current positions by educational levels, diverse professional experiences, sharing their career barriers they faced in their career paths, the strategies that helped them succeed. They described their professional responsibilities which involved association with organizations outside their normal responsibilities. They also described barriers or obstacles faced while accomplishing their professional responsibilities, as well as strategies for overcoming those barriers. The participants described their major accomplishments in their professional career and offered advice to aspiring female community college vice-presidents. The key themes that emerged from the study include professional experience diversity, parental influence, importance of mentor relationships and positive role models, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) participation, facing and overcoming professional challenges, and the positive influence of serving others. Of the 4 study participants, 3 indicated they did not set out to become community college vice-presidents. Each participant felt it was her exposure and diverse backgrounds that got her noticed, and all were well prepared when the opportunity to serve in this role presented itself.

School board members, superintendents, and assistant superintendents from Region XX, Education Service Center in Texas were surveyed to examine their perceptions regarding the underrepresentation of women in the role of superintendency. Individual t-tests were performed and frequency data were utilized to obtain group means. When compared, the administrative group indicates that there is a significant difference (p<0.05) between genders. Female administrators cite concerns with factors hindering their career advancement to the superintendency. Research findings of this study included: 1. Data from this study reveal women's concerns with limited time for career mobility, career aspirations being placed behind family responsibilities, and family commitments being a priority to career advancement. 2. Data from this study suggest that women have concerns with factors they encounter with mentors, networking systems, sponsorship, and support systems within their organizations. 3. Results reveal that women have inexperience in fiscal matter compared to men. Fiscal matters are a major concern and a priority for both school board members and administrators. 4. Results indicate that females are capable of performing the superintendent job duties. 5. The results indicate that women are their own worst critic and rate themselves lower than their male counterparts. The following are recommendations for further study: 1. Further statistical study on in-depth interviews of current female superintendents could be conducted related to barriers encountered during their superintendency in all Education Service Center Regions in Texas. 2. Critical analysis could be made on the actual selection process of the superintendency for several districts within the Education Service Center Regions in Texas. 3. Further research studies could be conducted of networking and mentoring systems already in place. These kinds of studies can add to the review of literature as to their effectiveness in assisting women in administration.

abstract: no / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Administration and Supervision 2014

Women make up a majority of those employed in higher education, yet they are still a minority in leadership positions. Completing a doctoral degree, relocating for career advancement, and working in demanding, high time commitment roles are typically required to achieve the chief student affairs officer (CSAO) position, as well as contributors to burnout and attrition in the field. This study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the intersection of career progression (work), balance (nonwork) and relationships (network) of women chief student affairs officers, specifically, how gender is an influence, understanding life roles and whether there is a cost of achievement in the field. The literature in the field suggests the achievement and constant maintenance of balance, which is viewed through a male construct, is the norm. It is evident that the need to understand the particular phenomenon of work and nonwork intersections of women, particularly in the chief role, gives voice to an issue for women that have been rarely heard in the field. This study utilized the naturalistic inquiry paradigm of research. The author conducted in-depth interviews of nine women CSAOs at colleges and universities across the United States. Data were analyzed using a constant comparative method which allowed the findings to emerge. The results show that women CSAOs felt that gender had a clear impact on their career both in their choices and how they were treated by others. The impact of gender has been felt at all stages in their careers including in their roles as CSAOs on issues of discrimination, leadership style, spousal expectations, and choices regarding if and when - or whether - to have children. Respondents also articulated the different domains of their life in terms of roles, but did not seem them as distinctly separate in the manner in which they manage their lives. Additionally, all of the respondents felt their public and private lives intersected and that keeping them in separate domains was not only impossible, but unnecessary. Lastly, there were significant and ongoing costs of achievement in the field, mostly notably lack of friends and short and/or long term health problems.

Women are persistent in their pursuits to obtain advanced degrees in higher education, as evidenced by the growing percentage (53% in 2009 according to NCES, 2010). Their purposes for degree attainment are multiple and varied, as are their experiences in higher education. This case study investigated the perspectives of five females managing the roles of woman, mother, educational administrator, and doctoral student. Previous research has paid little attention to women who manage three roles, let alone four. Feminist Standpoint Theory undergirds this study and allows a conversation about power relations within the broader social order, allows the asking of questions and locating of absences, and illuminates the voices of women. The semi-structured interviews of the five participants addressed the roles and lived experiences of each, seeking to understand the components of their perspectives and the variables that influenced those perspectives. The interviews, along with a researcher reflective journal and field notes, yielded data for a cross-case analysis with the themes of support, gender equality, personal fulfillment, tenacity, and time. As a result of the cross-case synthesis, implications for women seeking to fulfill the multiple roles discussed in this study are explicated in four major themes. "It Takes A Village" encompasses the various kinds of support surrounding doctoral student mothers who are educational administrators. "Running the Marathon" explores personal fulfillment and tenacity as they relate to the women's doctoral endeavors. "Burning the Midnight Oil" refers to the efficient use of time and gender equality in their lives. Lastly, "The Quest for Quality" discusses participants' pursuits to use time effectively in their multiple roles. Implications for graduate programs and staff as well as for future researchers are described. This study is the first to examine this specific combination of roles for females: woman, mother, educational administrator, and doctoral student. It adds to the literature concerning women managing multiple roles and can serve as a starting point for discussion and further research of the experiences of this specific population.

In education, women administrators are underrepresented in leadership positions, especially as superintendent. The study examined the following: characteristics and experiences of women superintendents to those of women administrators who aspire to be superintendent and to those women who have decided not to pursue the superintendency; the factors influencing women administrators' decisions to pursue or not pursue the position of superintendent; and the impact of identified factors on the decisions made by study participants. This qualitative multiple-subject study with an interview protocol was designed to consider the historical perspective of women in education, characteristics of women administrators, and a feminist poststructuralist framework; it included the identification of internal and external barriers and criteria for enhancing the advancement of women administrators. The study addressed the following research questions: 1. How do the experiences and characteristics of acting women superintendents compare to those of women aspiring to the superintendency and to those of women administrators who choose not to seek the position of superintendent? 2. What factors influence women administrators' decisions to pursue or not pursue the position of superintendent? The seven findings suggested that 1) educational leaders influenced decisions to become administrators; 2) style of leadership, method of conflict resolution, and decision-making practice is collaborative; 3) interpersonal skills, good communication, and approachability are (p.204-205) skills required for the superintendency; 4) the decision to pursue the superintendency is influenced by a number of factors, including role models, mentors, and the intensity of the position; 5) balancing a career with family responsibilities is potential barriers for women seeking the superintendency; 6) negative perceptions of female leaders were potential barriers for women administrators seeking and obtaining the position of superintendent; 7) individual school boards and communities influence how women and men are viewed as leaders and whether or not women superintendents are perceived differently. This study has identified implications for future studies and for advancing the careers of women administrators by eliminating barriers, challenges and negative perceptions regarding their pursuit of the position of superintendent. / EDD

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to determine the experiences, challenges and strategies for success of African American female senior-level executives at predominately white institutions (PWIs). This qualitative study used a phenomenological perspective to address the research questions, as phenomenology was uniquely suited to capture participants lived experiences (Guido, Chávez, & Lincoln, 2010; Perl & Noldon, 2000). The conceptual framework for the study was based on the theoretical concepts of black feminist theory, biculturalism and intersectionality. The combination of these theories was uniquely appropriate for researching the lived experiences of African American women (Barrett, Cervero, & Johnson-Bailey, 2003; Collins, 2000; Du Bois & Edwards, 2007). Black feminist theory addressed the lived experiences of African American women (Collins, 2000); intersectionality highlighted the oppression of African American women (Collins, 2000) and biculturalism explained how African American women adapt to be successful (Barrett, et al., 2003). The findings for this study of African American female senior-level executives at predominately white institutions include: regarding experiences (1) relationships and connection were essential; (2) strategic and political savvy were vital; (3) one must have an awareness of your perception; (4) higher education was an isolating place; (5) racism and sexism were still prevalent; and (6) work/life balance was a myth; regarding identities (7) creation of a professional identity as the primary identity at PWI; (8) race and gender as prominent identities; and (9) personal persona purposely protected from PWI; and regarding strategies to cope with challenges and celebrate successes (10) know yourself and focus on your goals; (11) identify something to ground you outside of the PWIs; (12) invest in your success through academic and professional preparation; and (13) advance to uplift others. / text