CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN ADMINISTRATORS.

Abstract

The purpose of this research has been to investigate the current situation of selected women in administrative positions in community colleges. This study proposed: (1) to develop a profile of selected women in community college administration positions in the United States community colleges to identify the kind of women who aspire to and succeed in community college administration; (2) to determine areas in which these selected women feel they need more training in order to advance or maintain a position in community college administration; (3) to examine the problems and rewards that these selected women find in their careers in community college administration; and (4) to determine how these selected women feel about themselves as women and administrators. The population for this study were women chosen for the Leaders for the 80's Professional Development Project sponsored by the American Association of Women in Community and Junior Colleges and the League for Innovation in the Community College. From this group of 309 women, 228 responded to the Women in Community College Administrative Positions Questionnaire. The data were aggregated from the usable questionnaires and analyzed by frequency distribution with percents to report findings. The study showed this national sample of women either in educational administration or slated for administration represented a new generation of female educational administrators. Many have been hired since the advent of affirmative action policies and antidiscrimination laws went into effect. These women, women in most professions, have made progress in the last decade. Unquestionably, there are many reasons for this progress, including the existence of affirmative action legislation, the resurgence of the women's movement, and growing awareness levels on the part of women, both collectively and individually, of their own potential, capabilities and aspirations. If the progress for women in educational administration is to continue, they must look first to themselves, through their influence, determination, and competency. This study has shown that these selected women are very traditional and conventional in both their personal and professional lives.