RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 CLS to Higher Education Administrator: The Right Navigational Skills
JF American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
JO Clin Lab Sci
FD American Society of Chemistry and Laboratory Science
SP 12
OP 20
DO 10.29074/ascls.23.1.12
VO 23
IS 1
A1 Suzanne Campbell
A1 Barbara Y. LaCost
YR 2010
UL http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/content/23/1/12.abstract
AB OBJECTIVES: To identify the experiences, training, and opportunities that directed and influenced the career paths of women clinical laboratory scientists that transitioned to higher education administrators.METHODS: A multi-site case study design was selected for this qualitative research involving a purposive sample of eight research participants. Data collection was guided by ten open-ended questions in seven face-to-face and one telephone semi-formal interviews.SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: The purposive sample included women clinical laboratory scientists who held a current higher education administrative position at the dean's level, including associate and assistant dean positions, in a university setting. The participants were located in eight higher education institutions in Nebraska, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas.MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Leadership skills/characteristics, professional development opportunities, mentoring experiences, opportunities for advancement.RESULTS: Possessing a doctoral degree, demonstrating competence and strong leadership skills, having a good role model and/or mentor, displaying the ability to see the big picture, and possessing exemplary communication skills were identified by this group of women as necessary requirements for obtaining and maintaining a position as a higher education administrator.CONCLUSION: The participants in this study confirmed that by possessing a terminal degree and a defined skill set, they were able to obtain a higher education administrator position.