Factors affecting the promotion of women to senior level administrative positions in student affairs.

Abstract

Studies have found that there are fewer women than men holding senior level administrative positions within student affairs. Factors related to this phenomena were investigated through structured interviews with six women who currently hold the position of vice president or vice chancellor of student affairs at their institutions. The researcher sought answers to three main questions: (a) What factors affect the promotion of women to vice president/vice chancellor positions in student affairs? (b) How have women responded to these factors? (c) What advice do women vice presidents and vice chancellors have for women who are employed at various levels of their student affairs profession? A content analysis of the interview transcripts yielded several themes and factors which had impacted each woman's progression to a senior level position. Factors which enhanced progression included gaining experience, going above and beyond the call of duty, and developing skills. Inhibiting factors included gender and lack of experience. The results support research about the over representation of women at the entry level and WIder representation at the senior level in student affairs. Further, evidence shows that active steps are being taken to overcome the gender imbalance, but that there may not have been enough time for women to build their experience base for promoting to higher levels of responsibility. The small sample size and the focused geographical area from which the respondents were drawn limits the generalizability of the study. Additional studies using larger and more diverse employment levels and geographic samples are warranted.