Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

David Weintraub

Committee Member

Bruce Foster

Committee Member

Kimberly Durham

Keywords

bias, challenges, discrimination, gender, gender bias, higher education, higher education institutions, leadership, leadership positions, mentorship, mentorship opportunities, qualitative study, recommendations, role congruity theory, social congruity theory, social role theory, work-life balance, women, workplace

Abstract

The applied dissertation was designed to provide an analysis of the challenges women face obtaining leadership positions in higher education. History has shown an evolution of women in the workplace. Reviewing the identified challenges provided insight while giving the opportunity for recommendations to institutions to make appropriate changes. The theoretical concept for this study centered around social congruity theory, also known as role congruity theory, providing insight as to how social views have defined roles, especially those related to gender and women. The study looked at how real life experiences align with such challenges. It also looked at how higher education institutions can help with identified challenges.

A qualitative study was completed that involved five women at a higher education institute. Participants were asked a set of interview questions, which were later used to analyze challenges faced. The results provided alignment between historical literature and real-life experiences, including gender bias, discrimination, work-life balance, and mentorship opportunities. The findings of this study show that women continue to experience challenges that have shaped how they obtain leadership positions. One recommendation as a result of this study is to expand the study globally to gain broader insight culturally and environmentally.

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