Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 398-410). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

A qualitative study examined the role of mentoring in the career paths of women deans and vice presidents in four-year public and private institutions of higher education. This study explored the impact of mentoring in assisting women to achieve their career objectives; the impact of a mentor's gender; the impact of having a mentor versus not having a mentor; and a description of mentoring by each participant. Participants were selected systematically via professional contacts of the researcher and the Higher Education Directory (2000). 15 women deans and vice presidents in four-year public and private institutions of higher education consented to participate in the study. An interview guide was used to create a consistent method of questioning yet questions were open-ended to allow for flexibility during the interview process. Ten of fifteen women participant's indicated they had received mentoring during their careers. Five women interviewed did not receive mentoring during their careers. Their career paths and levels of achievement were similar to the women who had female mentors.