Female students face distinct challenges when pursuing an education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Those challenges are compounded when female students grow up in the rural American west. Through the framework of Critical Feminist Theory (CFT), this study looks to identify barriers for female students within STEM…

Women are underrepresented in the STEM workforce. This is due to microaggressions, gender biases, preconceived assumptions about their abilities, a lack of mentorship, and limited opportunities for advancement. While women are underrepresented as a whole, the deficit is even larger when it comes to Latinas, who only make up a fraction of 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…

Women make up most higher education administration and faculty positions, but they are concentrated at the lowest echelon of the academy. As women attempt professional ascension, they face a double bind whereby there is incongruence between the social expectations assigned to women and the perceived attributes of an ideal leader. A review of the…

This study explores the underrepresentation of women in the public school superintendency, a role historically dominated by men, and examines the barriers and opportunities that shape women's pathways to this senior leadership position in education, as well as strategies they credit with helping them in their role. Using a qualitative,…

In the United States, Latinas are underrepresented in obtaining PhDs that lead to high level professional careers and academia. This may be due, in part, to patriarchal academic institutions and approaches that have historically devalued the cultural experiences and identities of marginalized populations, including Latinas in higher education.…

Purpose and Method of Study: The purpose of this study is to delve into the bicultural heritage and educational experiences of East Asian American women, exploring their path to leadership roles. Using qualitative research methods, including semi-structured interviews, the investigation sheds light on the unique challenges and opportunities faced…

Black women administrators should be included in the discourse around experiences in leadership on their campuses, understanding these experiences will shed light not only on how to develop and retain this group, but also on these additional needs of this group. The experience of Black women administrators is a topic that has not been studied…

It is widely known that gender bias persists in male-dominated fields. Gender bias is often defined as acts that position one prototypical social group over another (Begeny et al., 2020; Gloor et al., 2020; Roberts & Brown, 2019; Scheifele et al., 2021). It is unknown how male superintendents mentor women while established in their…

This research probed into women's challenges and biases in leadership positions within male-dominated federal government agencies in the United States. This qualitative Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology builds on Bishop's (2022) groundwork, "The Female Leadership Gap: Breaking Down the Biases and Barriers of Women in…

This study examined the impact of an informal co-mentoring network on the female mid-level leaders in independent schools. The sample was composed of mid-level female administrators in National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) accredited independent schools. An increased…

This study explored the multifaceted journey of Black women ascending to senior-level leadership positions within Illinois community colleges. It aimed to uncover, understand, and provide actionable recommendations concerning the progression of these women into prominent roles, focusing on their unique identities, the impact of leadership support,…

Women are grossly underrepresented in leadership positions in Higher Education. Despite gains over the last several decades, the disparity still exists between women and their male counterparts. Leadership development programs, leadership style, and organizational culture have emerged as common themes in research studies. Continued advancements in…

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…

There is a significant gap in the number of women who go into college as computer science majors and decide to pursue the field in the workforce. There are challenges present for female students since the start of their education that their male counterparts do not face, which ultimately contributes to this gender gap. Such challenges include a…