Abstract
Women in school administration, specifically higher education administration, are greatly underrepresented. The behaviors of top-level women administrators in support of other women are crucial to the advancement of greater numbers of women in management. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of support they received when they first entered administration in California community colleges and the support they currently provide to women now entering administration. This was a descriptive study of women presently holding positions in the top three levels of administration (president, vice-president, and dean) in 104 of the 107 California community colleges (three colleges were used in the pilot study); the survey analysis method was employed. Several statistical treatments were used in the analysis of the data: one-way Analysis of Variance, Chi Square analysis and the t-test. Biographical information (educational background, professional experience) and open-ended questions were compiled and reported narratively and on tables, as were the statistical findings. The study found women have always supported women in management and women administrators presently engage in support behaviors. The level of support has increased over the years due to increased numbers of women managers. However, for progress to be maintained, it is imperative that this support continue. Women presidents place more value on having a Ph.D/Ed.D. degree than do vice-presidents and deans. There is no relationship between the average number of years a woman has worked in the community colleges and the top-level administrative position she holds. However, the length of time a woman has been in administration relates to the administrative position she presently possesses; the longer a woman has been an administrator, the higher her present position. There is no relationship between the average age of these women and the level of administrative position they hold; most are comparable in age, and will retire within the next five to ten years. Unless other, younger women are prepared to step in and move up, the number of women in administration and holding top-level administrative positions could be greatly reduced.