Explore how women have succeeded in higher education administration through the collective wisdom of diverse college and university leaders
As the percentage of women college and university presidents continues to increase, more and more women are considering academic administration as a viable career. Current and future leaders who aspire to rise to the top ranks of a college or university need a path to help them navigate the various issues they might encounter in today’s academic institutions.
Women in the Higher Education C-Suite: Diverse Executive Profiles explores the personal narratives of a diverse group of women CEOs and senior executives serving in two- and four-year public and private colleges and universities in the United States. Emphasizing real-world leadership, this book focuses on the remarkable women who continue to break barriers and inspire the next generation of leaders. Author Lisa Mednick Takami, Ed.D. draws from extended qualitative interviews with successful higher education CEOs and senior leaders to highlight their lived experiences, career trajectories, leadership lessons, and much more. Throughout the book, the leaders discuss common obstacles and offer recommendations to help you overcome them in your professional journey. The book also:
- Focuses on the real experiences and formative development of current women leaders
- Discusses topics such as work-life balance, career change, and professional legacy
- Addresses how women leaders navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements
Those profiled include:
- Dr. Mildred García, Chancellor, California State University
- Dr. Linda Oubré, President Emeritus, Whittier College
- Dr. Dena P. Maloney, Retired Superintendent/President, El Camino Community College District
- Dr. Katrice Albert, Vice President Office of Institutional Diversity, University of Kentucky
- Dr. Jane Close Conoley, President, California State University, Long Beach
- Dr. Sandra Boham, President, Salish Kootenai Community College
- Dr. Judy K. Sakaki, President Emeritus, Sonoma State University
- Dr. Becky R. Petitt, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, University of California, San Diego
- Dr. Erika Endrijonas, Superintendent/President, Pasadena Community College District
- Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, Norfolk State University
- Dr. Joanne Li, Chancellor, University of Nebraska, Omaha
Designed to provide inspiration and guidance for future women leaders, Women in the Higher Education C-Suite: Diverse Executive Profiles is a must-read for educators, researchers, administrators, pre-service teachers, students in leadership courses, and women executives from other fields interested in pursuing senior-level college and university administration positions.
Table of Contents
About the Author xiii
Foreword xv
Acknowledgments xix
Introduction 1
Dr. Lisa Mednick Takami
1 "I Represent Students in all States to Reach their Potential" 5
Interview with Dr. Mildred García, Chancellor, California State University System
2 "It Matters Who Is in the Room" 15
Interview with Dr. Linda Oubré, President Emeritus, Whittier College
3 "Leadership Is Really an Orientation Toward Action" 25
Interview with Dr. Dena P. Maloney, Retired Superintendent/President, El Camino Community College District
4 "I Had to Become More Proximal" 39
Interview with Dr. Katrice Albert, Vice President, Office of Institutional Diversity, University of Kentucky
5 "The Best Way to Move Forward is to be Absolutely Great at Your Job" 53
Interview with Dr. Jane Close Conoley, President, California State University, Long Beach
6 "Your Path isn’t Necessarily a Straight Line" 67
Interview with Dr. Sandra Boham, President, Salish Kootenai Community College
7 "Running Through the Fire" 81
Interview with Dr. Judy K. Sakaki, President Emeritus, Sonoma State University
8 "The Wind of the Ancestors was at My Back" 95
Interview with Dr. Becky R. Petitt, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, University of California, San Diego
9 "Education is the Great Equalizer" 105
Interview with Dr. Erika Endrijonas, Superintendent/President, Santa Barbara Community College District
10 "The Pulse on What Matters" 121
Interview with Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, President, Norfolk State University
11 "You Need to Look Up" 133
Interview with Dr. Joanne Li, Chancellor, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Appendix 147
Index 149
