Dissertation
Women Who Left the Higher Education Profession: A Dissertation in Practice
University of Iowa
Doctor of Education, University of Iowa
Spring 2024
DOI: 10.25820/etd.007658
Abstract
Women are leaving the higher education profession after achieving senior-level roles on campuses across the United States at alarming rates. This dissertation looks at the experiences of women who have pivoted careers with the hope of identifying reasons for their departure. The data for this research was collected through semi-structured interviews with seven women who previously held senior-level roles at various campuses and have recently changed careers. The interviews were analyzed for themes and presented using narrative inquiry as a foundation. The findings discuss reasons for leaving including interactions with campus leaders, the ingrained misogyny and patriarchal environment of higher education, a desire for more flexibility and balance, and personal financial pressures. Other themes include burnout, disillusionment with the field, and an overwhelming sentiment that the women did not intend to leave the profession. These findings highlight the impact of supervisors and leaders on the experience of women in the higher education profession and the need for change in how leaders support all employees, especially women. It also presents a call for action to combat the gendered organizational structures that continue to place obstacles in the path of women advancing to the highest levels of campus leadership.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Women Who Left the Higher Education Profession: A Dissertation in Practice
- Creators
- Mary Duckworth - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Katharine M Broton (Chair) - University of IowaJodi Linley (Committee Member) - University of IowaMirra Anson (Committee Member) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Dissertation in Practice
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education, University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Educational Policy and Leadership Studies (Higher Education)
- Date degree season
- Spring 2024
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.007658
- Number of pages
- 149 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © Mary Duckworth
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Educational Policy and Leadership Studies; Education Doctorate Dissertation in Practice
- Record Identifier
- 9984635133902771
Metrics
36 File views/ downloads
85 Record Views