A Phenomenological Study: Mentoring Women in Higher Education Leadership

The purpose of this study was to explore which strategies women in higher education found beneficial through mentoring. Interviews with eight women from a for-profit higher education institution in Southern California were transcribed and analyzed to identify themes about the mentoring phenomenon. Participants included women employed as executive directors, vice presidents, deans, and directors. The participants in this study defined success and shared their experiences from a female mentee’s perspective. Key findings showed that mentors help women establish professional networks lending mentees opportunities to make powerful connections for career advancement. The mentoring relationship also assists women in dealing with difficult situations, managing confrontation, and taking risks. Additional themes surfaced to support the implementation of a formal mentoring program in the workplace. The product of this study was a mentoring model with outcomes based on the responses from the women who participated in this research. This model involves many key players, including leaders whose buy-in is critical to support a time intensive initiative. Results indicate that the framework for a formal program for women must include goals, assessment, and evaluation. Inviting high performing female employees to participate as mentees encourages motivation and builds a pool of future leaders for growing institutions. The most important resources in a new mentoring program are the individuals and the time they are willing to participate. Pairing the right mentor with a woman is vital to building an effective relationship. Utilization of the Clifton StrengthsFinder is one way to couple women with shared strengths. Implications of this study affect women aspiring to be leaders in higher education and the institutions for which they work.

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Schroeder, Amanda Kay

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Brock, Barbara L.

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10504/73793

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/73793