Women's Leadership in Education: University Presidents

Susan R. Madsen, Utah Valley University

Abstract

Although leadership is often viewed as many different things as it varies from individual to individual and context to context, there is some research (including the authors own extensive work) that suggests similarities among successful women presidents in how they developed the knowledge, skills, and abilities to rise through the educational administration ranks (ACE, 2007; Hill & Ragland, 1995; Walton & McDade, 2001; Waring, 2003). This entry will focus on how successful women presidents became leaders. The first section of this entry will discuss the career paths and barriers of women university presidents, while the second will present information about the most helpful leadership development activities for women educational leaders. The third section reviews research on influential individuals (e.g., mentors, role models) who can assist in the development of women leaders, and the fourth will outline the typical leadership motivations and styles that are common among women university presidents. Finally, the fifth section will share advice from current and former women presidents for those interested in becoming academic leaders, and then the entry concludes with a summary and a list of notable further readings for readers wishing to explore these topics in more detail.