This qualitative study explored the perceptions, challenges, and lived experiences of women, in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, holding executive level leadership positions to inform tailored support strategies. As female educators aspire to higher levels of leadership in schools and districts, limited avenues of structured informal and formal…

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…

Historically, Black women have been excluded from higher education based on race and gender. Moreover, Black women face multiple barriers that stem from the impact of intersectionality, which has led to the underrepresentation of Black women in senior-level administrative positions within institutions of higher education. Although the experiences…

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the early career pathways of women who are deans in academic medicine to understand how they perceived their developed leadership skills and how they identified strategies to advance women into dean leadership roles. Theoretical Framework: Social role theory states that societal expectations of…

This case study involves a new school superintendent, unions, parent groups, and a school board. The case demonstrates how the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic impacted the relationships between a school board, teacher and administrator unions, parent organizations, and the school superintendent. It is the story of…

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to identify barriers to collaboration among female administrators at a Ghanaian technical university (TU), based on the social identity theory (SIT). Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-method approach was adopted, integrating qualitative interviews of 15 female administrators and completing structured…

Many Black women leaders operating within historically and predominantly White organizations, including independent schools, often lead cultural work with titles such as "DEI Director" or "Chief of Equity and Belonging." Although these programs are rooted in equity and social justice, the women combat perceptions of inferiority…

The lived experiences of Black women senior housing officers have received little attention in research about diversity in campus housing. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 6,000 colleges and universities in the United States, with 2,144 serving as residential campuses. However, what is still to be told…

The journey of Black women into senior leadership roles within higher education institutions is characterized by a complex interplay of personal and professional realms shaped by the intersecting forces of racism and sexism. This dissertation examined the lived experiences of these trailblazing leaders, revealing the systemic barriers they…

Women in senior-level administrative positions within higher education continue to be significantly scarce. Although the representation of women has increased over the years, women seeking to achieve senior level of authority encounter discrimination along with barriers and challenges and their experiences, illuminating the issue (Growe &…

The lack of women holding high-level leadership positions in higher education institutions is problematic. From a historical standpoint, women face several more obstacles while working toward obtaining leadership roles in higher education than men do. In addition, from a societal lens, women are judged differently in regard to leadership style,…

Purpose: This study examined the diverse expressions of self-fulfillment among principals working in Israel's special education system for complex disabilities. It addressed two primary questions: (1) What are the perceived manifestations of self-fulfillment among principals in the context of complex disabilities? (2) What examples of…

This quantitative study explored the relationship between the beliefs of school district superintendents regarding the implementation of trauma-informed strategies and their actions in supporting building principals with the implementation of those strategies within the K-12 school system in New York State. The findings suggest that…

In January 2017, at various Women's Marches spanning the world, women with decades of activism under their belts held signs that called attention to their incredulity at having to resist government policies that threatened control over their bodies. This paper explores a similar persistence of stereotyping and discrimination that women in…

Career trajectory for any individual is a challenge. However, when it comes to Black women achieving a senior administrator position, it presents even greater challenges than what the average candidate endures. Limited research has attributed being Black and female as a rationale for career stagnation. The purpose of this phenomenological…