Abstract
Previous research on women presidents has provided primarily demographic data. As more women aspire to higher education administration positions, more personal and historical information is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine the circumstances and factors in the lives of four university women presidents that they perceive have enabled them to succeed to a presidency. This is a naturalistic multi-case study which used a series of interviews as the primary research tool. The open-ended repeated interview process provided thick descriptions to be evaluated and analyzed. The interviews took place over a period of six months. Data generated in the repeated interviews revealed several themes for analysis: the early years representing home, parents and family, their college and university experiences, marriage and family relationships, career paths, role models and mentors, the development of a sense of self and values, their leadership style, discrimination they encountered and their strategies for success. The results of this study indicate that the circumstances and factors that greatly influenced these four women took place early in life, and were the result of strong family support, educational nurturing, the development of self-confidence and self-esteem and the resilience to succeed despite impediments they encountered as adults. The impact of family history and relationships and the importance of building a foundation for self-esteem and self confidence was the overriding theme in this study. The implications for the future of women leaders may hinge on the foundation years and relationships between the parents, educators and the child. Further research may address the influences of parental and educational nurturing, the changing marriage and family patterns of today's society versus that of these presidents. The multi-case study paradigm provides an opportunity for greater depth of data.