Women have made considerable gains in the acquisition of principal, vice-principal, and administrative positions within elementary and secondary educational institutions. Unfortunately, these gains have not translated into growth within the office of superintendency. Through incorporating a qualitative case study, the researcher ascertained the…

Using a culturally relevant leadership lens, this phenomenological study looks at the lived experiences of two female urban school leaders in Pakistani private schools. It highlights the structural enablements and barriers they faced across two different periods -- the 1990s and the 2020s providing reflectively-nuanced insight into female school…

There has been an increase in the number of women serving as heads of school in independent schools, though women remain underrepresented as heads of school in large (> 700 students), K-12, co-educational independent day schools. Data in this qualitative study were gathered through interviews with six women who were current or retired heads of…

This study aimed to investigate and improve the experience for mid-level female leaders moving into leadership positions at a comprehensive community college in a medium size city in the Northwest of the United States. The retirements of the baby boomer generation have created labor shortages across all industry sectors. Higher education is not…

The purpose of this study was to develop a real-world understanding of both the challenges and achievements of Black women leaders--in their own words and from their unique perspectives as individuals and as a particular demographic based on race and gender. Sharing stories of past experiences, studying and analyzing those stories, and making…

Historically, Black women have faced many challenges in the pursuit of education. Despite being marginalized in educational spaces, black women have been instrumental in educating Black communities. Continuously, Black women have been considered the minority in school leadership positions. African Americans represent only 11% of all school…

How Latina administrators construct their leadership philosophies in the K-12 public education system and what makes them unique in a traditionally male-dominated context was explored in this qualitative study. Using a narrative inquiry approach, seven Mexican American women working as school principals in California's Central Valley were…

Women in education are strongly represented in the classroom but are much less likely to become school district superintendents. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how women who have been superintendents for at least 3 years experienced mentoring and role preparation as they worked to attain the position. A transcendental…

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine how mentoring support systems, race and gender intersectional challenges shape the pathway for five African-American women principals in a South Texas urban school district. The researcher used a semi-structured interview question protocol, audio-recorded, and professionally transcribed…

Mentorship has been identified as a vital process to career advancement. This phenomenological study consisted of in-depth interviews with women who are at the time of this study mid-level administrators in higher education who are engaged or have been engaged as a mentee and are currently or have been mentored. Using Supervisory Career Mentoring…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the lived experiences of African American female Superintendents in the State of Arkansas. One of the major educational issues is the limited number of African American female superintendents in the USA and the state of Arkansas, in particular. African American women venturing into the…

Education has historically been dominated by women, while those in leadership positions are male. Women are acutely underrepresented in the top position in public school districts across the nation. There is consistent evidence supporting that women often encounter both explicit and implicit barriers hindering their trajectory and growth to a…

Literature has suggested that mentorship is one of the most influential components of career advancement. However, for Black women in higher education administrative roles, mentorship also serves to garner community and support. This research study focuses on the lived experiences of Black women administrators in higher education institutions, the…

The significance of this study was to give an active voice to the experiences of women superintendents. By giving voice to the lived experiences of women superintendents, the study sought to further understand the phenomenon of women dominating the teaching profession and other entry-level positions in education yet having a noticeably limited…

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of female superintendents and their educational career experiences and personal life experiences prior to the attainment of the school superintendency. In order to achieve this overall objective, the following research questions framed this qualitative methods study: 1. How have previous…