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ERIC Number: ED644014
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 221
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-8193-3351-8
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Women Community College Student Leaders: A Phenomenological Study of Leadership Identity Development
Sherry N. Simkins
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Idaho State University
While women have made great strides in leadership and academia over the last several decades, women continue to lag behind men in executive leadership positions. In universities, women students are vastly underrepresented in executive leadership roles; however, at community colleges the trends are reversed as women are actively taking on executive leadership positions. Previous research has explored the experiences of women university student leaders, while no attention has been given to the experiences of women community college student leaders. This qualitative, phenomenological research study sought to answer the central research question, "What are women community college student leaders' experiences?" Leadership Identity Development theory (Komives et al., 2005) with a feminist lens provided a framework for this study. Through data collected from a two-part interview process this study sought to illuminate the experiences of eight woman students in executive leadership positions at a community college. The findings revealed that the women were motivated by previous leadership experience, encouragement from others, and a strong personal commitment. Further the findings suggested women employees and peers were particularly influential developmental influences along with growth opportunities that built self-efficacy. Executive leadership experience helped the women gain skills, changed their views of gender and leadership, as well as their views of self. In addition, the findings showed the women engaged as transformational leaders that have cultivated a growth mindset. Finally, the findings suggested the women's leadership identity development was impacted by trying to balance their multiple roles, the charged political atmosphere, and gender discrimination. Despite obstacles, the women found active strategies for overcoming barriers. This study provides important implications for theory and community college practitioners. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A