Climbing the Ladder and Looking Back:

Reflections of Women Leading Community Colleges

Pamela L. Eddy

Central Michigan University

I never set out to write a book to change women’s lives, to change history. It’s like, “Who, me?” Yes, me. I did it. And I’m not that different from other women….Maybe my power and glory was that I could speak my truth as a women and it was the truth of every woman.

Betty Friedan (1921-2006)

The Community College Context

Joilet College—Founded 1901

People’s College—Open Access

Women Friendly

Leadership Turnovers

Portrait of CC Leaders 29% of CC presidents are Women

8% in 1986 27% in 2001

70% anticipated to retire in 10 years

45% of current CC presidents over 61

60% came from previous presidency or Chief Academic Officer position

Research Question How have women advanced in their

careers to the community college presidency?

How do they describe their pathway? What has aided/hindered

them along the path?

Literature Review CCs bureaucratic institutions

(Birnbaum, 1992)

CC male dominance— “great men” (Amey & Twombly, 1992; Twombly, 1995)

Leadership Theory (Amey, VanDerLinden, & Brown, 2002; Eddy &

VanDerLinden, 2006)

Career Pathway (Boggs, 1988; McDade, 1988; Wolverton &

Gonzales, 2000)

Methods

PhenomenologyUnderstanding the career pathwayUnderstanding gendered experiences

Six Women5 in first presidency; 1 in second presidencyGeographic diversityOrganizational diversityAll married (85% of all CC presidents married)

Findings Lack of Intentionality

Key Support/Opportunity

Family and Career Sequencing

Reaching Back

Playing with the Boys

Lack of Intentionality

Presidency not career goal

Breadth of CC experience and jobs

Happy where they were

Tapped vs. Internal motivation

Key Support/Opportunities

Previous Experiences

Variety of Skill Sets

Mentors

Family/Career Sequencing

Kids/Spouse

Timing to Move Up

Next Steps?

Reaching Back

Mentoring Others

Legacy

New Hierarchy

Playing with the Boys

The “Woman” factor

Role of Language

Golf

Discussion

Alternative routes to the presidency

Not a career destination/career satisfaction

Barriers– Male Norms– Family Responsibilities

Mentors/Career planning

Conclusion

Role of serendipity– Pulling up– Pushing up

It’s not the pipeline

Examples of women making it– Testing the leadership waters– Reconstructing leadership

Thank you!