CLS to Higher Education Administrator: The Price They Paid

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To identify the barriers and/or obstacles these women experienced during their career paths as women clinical laboratory scientists who transitioned to higher education administration.

To identify how being a woman influenced their careers as 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: The price women pay, gender considerations, a need for balance, existence/absence of the glass ceiling for women in higher education administration.

RESULTS: Making personal sacrifices, struggling with gender stereotypes, being a woman, knowing you are okay, and possessing the ability to separate the personal from the professional were identified by this group of women as challenging experiences as they obtained and maintained a position as a higher education administrator. Additionally, they described the need for balance, a support system, and how they successfully managed their marriage, family, and career. The participants presented conflicting statements concerning the existence of the glass ceiling for women in higher education administration.

CONCLUSION: The participants in this study obtained positions in higher education administration but they indicated they have paid a price. Each of the participants indicated their obstacles included making a personal sacrifice, being treated differently because they were women, and needing to find a balance in their responsibilities related to their careers, marriages, and families. The majority of the participants believe there is a slight increase in the number of opportunities for women in higher education administration.