This study explored the motivators and inhibitors experienced by women pursuing high school administration positions. Additionally, it sought to identify the reasons behind the gender discrepancies to support improved hiring practices and job requirements and inform districts and states about areas for improvement to attract and retain qualified…

Women in the field of education are strongly represented in the classroom but are much less likely to become school district superintendents. For decades, women have continued to attain the top district leadership role at a rate of slightly less than one to four, compared to their male counterparts. The purpose of this study was to understand how…

In this study, I focused on African-American women who have pursued and continue to pursue administrative roles at a predominately White institution in the Midwest. Using a phenomenology approach, that employed an initial questionnaire sent to various marginalized groups in the Midwest to women who fit the research criteria. After completing 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…

On average, the American university president is a white man in his early 60s. Progress has been slow for women in this role. This study examined the university presidency with a focus on the woman president experience. The hypothesis was that based on factors such as the glass ceiling and glass cliff, gender affects the experiences of women…

This study applied social network theory to examine the advantages of social networks and how the connections they offer affect school administrators' ability to lead their schools. It focused on how social networks can bolster the leadership growth and tenure of female principals and assistant principals in secondary schools. Additionally, the…

African American women college presidential leadership is more than bureaucratic or technical leadership styles, or a set of skills or traits. African American women college president's leadership is pedagogical, meaning it is rooted in teaching and learning. The purpose of this research investigation is to amplify the role that African American…

Through a Critical Action Research (Hesse-Biber, 2017) study utilizing the sequential mixed method to examine the experiences of Black women leaders in corporate spaces in the U.S. by situating their experiences in national and local Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) data and delving into the nuanced experiences of four Black women previously…

Although notably underrepresented in role and research, Black women bring a strong presence to higher education institutions--leading academic, research, and business operations from senior and executive roles. Black women senior leaders serve as change agents strategically leading their organizations to become better, stronger, and more effective…

Several acts and movements have attempted to eliminate discrimination in employment opportunities. However, despite these acts and movements, there remains a disproportionate number of males in top leadership positions in public schools. Women who hold the position of superintendent in public school districts in Oklahoma from diverse backgrounds…

Black womxn mid-level administrators in student affairs are DOPE! However, limited research examines our lived experience and voice at the intersection of race, gender, and organizational status. This qualitative research study uses Sista Circle Methodology to investigate the challenges of this population at Historically White Institutions.…

Narrative inquiry is my research method, and my goal is to validate the use of narratives, including my reflective memos, journal reflections, and interpretations of various artifacts that share my students' experiences. As a Black woman and an educator, I emphasize the importance of culturally responsive school leadership for K-12 principals,…

According to the data, educators must focus on preparing all students, especially underrepresented students, to be successful in a global workforce. While more females are pursuing the helping fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), there are still many opportunities available. This study was a qualitative case study…

Racism has always been a factor in U.S. education, whether it be anti-literacy laws aimed at enslaved Africans (Mitchell 2008), segregated schools in the south during the era of Jim Crow (Ladson-Billings, 2004), or funding disparities in the northern United States between schools serving majority white students versus those serving predominantly…

There continues to be a discrepancy between women, who comprise 77% of the public school institution, yet make up only 31% of the superintendency and only 34% of high school principalships. This study sought to examine those very personalized, professional, and intimate connections of women who serve as a high school principal or superintendent in…