Understanding Women's Avoidance of Leadership in Higher Education

Despite increasing numbers in higher education, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions within academic institutions. This disparity raises important questions about the factors influencing women s decisions to avoid or withdraw from leadership positions. Understanding women's avoidance of leadership roles in higher education requires an exploration of systemic barriers, cultural expectations, institutional climates, and personal experiences that shape career choices. Examining these dynamics may provide further insights into the structural and social mechanisms that discourage women from pursuing leadership and identify strategies to foster more inclusive and equitable academic environments. Understanding Women's Avoidance of Leadership in Higher Education explores the phenomena of women s leadership avoidance within higher education organizations. It examines the inequities in higher education work environments and suggests solutions for the encouragement and advancement of women in leadership positions. This book covers topics such as gender and diversity, teacher training, and workplace culture, and is a useful resource for educators, sociologists, academicians, researchers, and scientists.

Heidi L. Schnackenberg, Ph.D., is a Professor and Department Chair in Education at SUNY Plattsburgh in Plattsburgh, NY. Specializing in educational technology, she currently teaches graduate classes on the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning in the P-12 classroom. Her various research interests include the integration of technology into pedagogical practices, the complexities of women in leadership in higher education, and the challenges faced by mother scholars and MotherLeaders in academia. She has published numerous articles on educational technology, co-authored Challenges Facing Female Department Chairs in Contemporary Higher Education: Emerging Research and Opportunities, and co-edited Best Practices for Education Professionals, Best Practices for Education Professionals Volume 2, The Ethics of Cultural Competence in Higher Education, Preparing the Education Space for Gen Z, and Ethics in Higher Education. Dr. Schnackenberg began her education career as an elementary music teacher.