Exploring the Leadership Journeys of Female College Presidents at Health Professions Focused Institutions: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study

Authors

Caroline S. Zeind, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesFollow
Bobbie Ann Adair White, MGH Institute of Health ProfessionsFollow
Yoon Soo Park, University of Illinois at ChicagoFollow
Tewodros Eguale, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesFollow
Anne Thompson, MGH Institute of Health ProfessionsFollow

Keywords

Leadership, Women Presidents, Health Professions, Higher Education

Abstract

National data on the academic presidency reflect a long-standing gender gap with little known about the presidency at health professions focused institutions (HPFIs). This mixed methods study explored the relationships between the academic presidency and institutional characteristics of HPFIs, and the leadership journeys of female presidents at HPFIs. An analysis of institutional and leadership data for 487 HPFIs was conducted using a quantitative approach, followed by interviews of 15 female presidents at HPFIs to understand their perceptions of the barriers, and factors that helped with presidency attainment. The results of 479 HPFIs revealed that only 36.3% of women served as college presidents. Seven themes and 15 subthemes were generated following transcript analysis. One striking finding was that attainment of the presidency was an unplanned journey. The barriers that female presidents experienced have provided deep meaning into the gender bias and stereotypes that can hinder women from advancement to the presidency.

Recommended Citation

Zeind, Caroline S.; White, Bobbie Ann Adair; Park, Yoon Soo; Eguale, Tewodros; and Thompson, Anne (2026) "Exploring the Leadership Journeys of Female College Presidents at Health Professions Focused Institutions: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study," Journal of Research on the College President: Vol. 9, Article 1.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/jrcp/vol9/iss1/1