This book assists aspiring and current women leaders on how to advance into higher education leadership roles. Drawn from research and the lived experiences of women and non-binary people in higher education leadership, this book serves as a guide in understanding the gender disparity in higher education leadership and how women leaders forge pathways to promotion and success through systemic barriers, obstacles, and a lack of representation. A critical review of traditional leadership theory offers an opportunity to reimagine how effective leadership is framed and valued in higher education. Chapter authors and case studies explore the intersections of multiple identities and their impacts on leadership through lenses, including institutional type, functional areas, ability, gender identity, sexuality, race, and ethnicity. Focusing on a bridge from theory to practice that is designed to empower and inspire women leaders at all levels of the spectrum, this book is ideal reading for higher education scholars, students, and faculty aspiring to become leaders.

Women leaders and the COVID-19 pandemic are currently trending in the news. Major news outlets are all offering their positive opinions on how world-wide women leaders have addressed the crisis and reassured their people. While this sort of press coverage is certainly uplifting, little to no research has been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of women’s leadership decisions and strategies in these difficult times. In concert with these global struggles resulting from the pandemic are the challenges faced by higher education. Many colleges and universities have all but shuttered their doors and are conducting instruction, student support, and day-to-day business almost completely online. Women academic leaders bear a great load during global crises, with the combination of maintaining work responsibilities and caring for families and personal households. It is shown that women leaders may feel overwhelmed but remain heroes in unprecedented times of crisis. Women and Leadership in Higher Education During Global Crises informs readers and expands their understanding about specific challenges, issues, strategies, and solutions that are associated with women leaders in higher education, the implications during the current pandemic and other natural disasters, and how these strategies can be used for future agility and success. The chapters will cover narratives, strategies, and initiatives that women leaders are using to lead their institutions, departments, sectors, and organizations. It ties together the unimaginable challenges, joys, struggles, and successes encountered by women in leadership in higher education and is ideal for higher education administrators, teachers, leaders, faculty, provosts, deans, program leaders, researchers, academicians, and students interested in both the challenges and successes women leaders in higher education face during global crises.

So many women leading in higher education have stories to tell and advice to give - but don't yet have a platform. This book is our first foray into providing that platform. Throughout this collection of 34 essays, you will hear voices from every level of leadership and across every sector of higher education. You will read stories of strength, advocacy, and support as well as be privy to the pain, anger, and resilience that is part of being a woman in higher education. Most importantly, you will hear their advice for moving forward - whether it's during those pivotal moments in meetings ... to making career-impacting decisions ... to launching campus-wide initiatives. The contributors, ranging from faculty and mid-level directors in offices across the institution to past and current university presidents, offer strategies for: Risk taking and authentic leadership Confronting the imposter syndrome Conflict management Influencing without authority Leading and thriving as women of color Relationship building and opening the door for others Making the case for yourself and your initiatives Advocating for equity in hiring and allocation of work Negotiation Defining your success We hope our contributors' stories and advice will be useful to you and yourcolleagues! "No matter where you are in your leadership journey, there is something here for you. I especially appreciate the intentionality behind each chapter, making sure all voices are heard and the varying experiences of women are being shared... I highly recommend this book." - Kyra Lobbins, Deputy Chief of Staff, Clemson University

Leadership in universities is physically, intellectually and emotionally demanding work. It involves multiple and complex tasks and responsibilities such as staff management, strategic management, operational planning, financial and resources management, policy development, quality assurance processes, improving student outcomes, and engaging with community and the professions/industry. Leadership is not simply the act of being a leader, it is the act of leadership that projects ‘success’ and ‘desirable’ attributes. Leadership has the capacity to be deeply seductive yet it is not an immediately attractive option for women, particularly for those who carry the burden of family and domestic responsibilities, for whom finding a space for leading is no easy task. Yet despite the almost pessimistic research evidence, women are in senior leadership positions in higher education, however precarious their numbers. There can be little doubt that universities benefit from diversity in their student and staff population This book addresses the central questions; Who are the women who survive and occupy elite leadership roles in universities? How might their leadership be shaped by and a consequence of institutional climate? What strategies do they learn and adopt and how do they lead and manage their female colleagues? What about those women who do not ‘fit’ the gender script? The chapters overview the changing policy landscape in higher education; provide a critical commentary on the interplay between gender, leadership, higher education, and organisational diversity, and draw on education and critical management literatures in order to offer a broader understanding of gender and elite leadership; This book will be essential reading for anyone involved or interested in higher education policy and management, academic leadership, organisational diversity and gender studies.

Explore how women have succeeded in higher education administration through the collective wisdom of diverse college and university leaders As the percentage of women college and university presidents continues to increase, more and more women are considering academic administration as a viable career. Current and future leaders who aspire to rise to the top ranks of a college or university need a path to help them navigate the various issues they might encounter in today’s academic institutions. Women in the Higher Education C-Suite: Diverse Executive Profiles explores the personal narratives of a diverse group of women CEOs and senior executives serving in two- and four-year public and private colleges and universities in the United States. Emphasizing real-world leadership, this book focuses on the remarkable women who continue to break barriers and inspire the next generation of leaders. Author Lisa Mednick Takami, Ed.D. draws from extended qualitative interviews with successful higher education CEOs and senior leaders to highlight their lived experiences, career trajectories, leadership lessons, and much more. Throughout the book, the leaders discuss common obstacles and offer recommendations to help you overcome them in your professional journey. Those profiled include: Dr. Mildred García, President, American Association of State Colleges & Universities Dr. Linda Oubré, President, Whittier College Dr. Dena P. Maloney, Retired Superintendent/President, El Camino Community College District Dr. Katrice Albert, Vice President Office of Institutional Diversity, University of Kentucky Dr. Jane Conoley, President, California State University, Long Beach Dr. Sandra Boham, President, Salish Kootenai Community College Dr. Judy P. Sakaki, President Emeritus, Sonoma State University Dr. Becky Petitt, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, University of California, San Diego Dr. Erika Endrijonas, Superintendent/President, Pasadena Community College District Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, Norfolk State University Dr. Joanne Li, Chancellor, University of Nebraska, Omaha Focuses on the real experiences and formative development of current women leaders Discusses topics such as work-life balance, career change, and professional legacy Addresses how women leaders navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements Designed to provide inspiration and guidance for future women leaders, Women in the Higher Education C-Suite: Diverse Executive Profiles is a must-read for educators, researchers, administrators, pre-service teachers, students in leadership courses, and women executives from other fields interested in pursuing senior-level college and university administration positions.

Junctures in Women's Leadership: Higher Education brings into sharp focus the unique attributes of women leaders in the academy and adds a new dimension of analysis to the field of women’s leadership studies. The research presented in this volume reveals not only theoretical factors of academic leadership, but also real time dynamics that give the reader deeper insights into the multiple stakeholders and situations that require nimble, relationship-based leadership, in addition to intellectual competency. Women leaders interviewed in this volume include Bernice Sandler, Juliet Villarreal García, and Johnnetta Betsch Cole.

In the male-dominated echelon of educational leadership, many women feel alone in their struggle to succeed. This anthology presents a collection of powerful stories written by women whose backgrounds are as diverse as their leadership roles. Readers will discover a sense of community among the pages, as well as practical guidance on how to develop the skills and character to achieve success. Readers will: Learn about the challenges women leaders face in international education. Study the real-life experiences of 10 women leaders and analyze the lessons learned from each unique story. Gain self-reflection exercises and strategies to identify areas of growth. Feel inspired to overcome gender barriers and pursue ongoing professional development. Receive reproducible tools and templates to reinforce learning and self-reflection. Contents: Chapter 1: On Commitment and Empowerment--Elsa 's Story Chapter 2: On Embracing Control and Knowing Your Worth--Michelle 's Story Chapter 3: On Resilience and Courage--Debra 's Story Chapter 4: On Imposter Syndrome and the Problem With Titles--Kimberly 's Story Chapter 5: On Getting Unstuck and Redefining Success--Aleasha 's Story Chapter 6: On Building Relationships and Blazing Trails--Pauline 's Story Chapter 7: On Learning Self-Care--Francesca 's Story Chapter 8: On the Benefits of Persistence and the Importance of Timing--Maya 's Story Chapter 9: On Defying Limits and Leading From the Heart--Suzette 's Story Chapter 10: Bringing It All Together