The Leadership Experience of Female Chief Admissions Officers

331 Pages·2016·2.15 MB·English

Clemson University
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All Dissertations Dissertations
5-2011
The Leadership Experience of Female Chief
Admissions Officers: A Phenomenological
Research Study
Krista Timney
Clemson University, [email protected]
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THE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE OF FEMALE CHIEF ADMISSIONS OFFICERS:
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH STUDY

A Dissertation
Presented to
the Graduate School of
Clemson University

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Educational Leadership

by
Krista L. Timney
May 2011

Dr. Russ Marion, Committee Chair
Dr. Tony Cawthon
Dr. Pam Havice
Dr. Mindy Spearman
ABSTRACT

College admissions is a highly-competitive, business-oriented, and collaborative
profession where women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions. A study
is needed of the barriers that have the potential to hinder the advancement of women in
this unique and challenging field, as well as the opportunities and approaches to
leadership that may lead to their success. The southeast region of the U.S. was chosen for
this study because it is an area where women have been successful in advancing into
leadership roles in admissions. The primary research question was: How do female chief
admissions officers describe their lived leadership experiences? The secondary research
questions delved into the leadership journeys of the women and their current leadership
experiences. A review of the literature identified a number of relevant studies concerning
the career development and obstacles to advancement of female leaders as well as issues
related to the current roles/responsibilities and challenges of chief admissions officers.
The researcher conducted this review and the overall investigation with a critical and
feminist theoretical orientation.
Using the methodical structure outlined by van Manen (1990), the researcher
conducted a phenomenological study. Six participants from public master‘s and research
institutions in the southeast U.S. were selected for the study through purposive sampling
and then interviewed at their institutions. The data that was collected from the interviews
was analyzed and coded according to a holistic and line-by-line approach (van Manen,
1990). The following eight themes emerged that described the essence of the leadership
experience of the participants: (1) Entering the Profession, (2) Sucked In, (3) Mentors,
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(4) Chipping Away at the Big Issues, (5) Balancing, (6) Like a Roller Coaster, (7)
Leadership as a Social Process, and (8) Creating Positive Outcomes.
The findings reveal that the leadership experience of female chief admissions
officers is characterized by their adaptation to elements of the traditional bureaucratic
organization as well as their development of a relational style of leadership that is built
upon social interaction and positive outcomes. Their experience is also impacted by
relationships with mentors and the complex world of admissions in which they function.
A data display was developed to illustrate the interplay between these components of the
phenomenon. The researcher offered a critical and feminist interpretation of the results
and presented recommendations for practice and further study that may help other women
attain a presence and succeed in the male-dominated world of leadership.

iii
DEDICATION

This dissertation is dedicated to my parents, June and Steve Timney. You have
supported and encouraged me not only during this long process, but throughout my entire
experience in higher education as a student and as a professional. You are, quite simply,
the best people I know and I wish I was more like you. This dissertation is also dedicated
to my grandmothers, Avery Hess and Genevieve Timney. I know from my genealogy
research that Avery had a hard life, but I also know that when she died and my mother
went through her wallet, she had kept an elementary school report card where she had
attained straight A‘s (or close to it). She must have been so proud of this accomplishment
to have carried this battered piece of paper throughout the hard times that lay ahead. My
other grandmother, Genevieve, wasn‘t able to finish high school, but I know that she too
valued education because she earned her GED much later in life. My grandmothers were
amazing, strong women. They are not here to see me graduate, but I know that they
would be proud.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to acknowledge the contributions of some individuals who gave
freely of their time and effort. Without their assistance, this research project would not
have been completed. First, I am grateful that I had the chance to work with Dr. Marion,
my committee chair. He came to my rescue when the project was at a standstill, helped
me find my direction, and guided me to the conclusion. Dr. Marion, you are a wonderful
mentor who challenged me to reach for something big and kept me motivated. You are a
rock star!
I am also grateful to Dr. Tony Cawthon, Dr. Pam Havice, and Dr. Mindy
Spearman for serving on my committee and also helping see this project through to its
completion. The suggestions that you offered throughout the process were always
constructive and well-conceived and improved every aspect of the research. I hope that
you feel this a dissertation with which you are proud to have your name associated. I am
also indebted to Dr. Frankie Keels-Williams, my first advisor and committee chair.
Although Dr. Williams left the university before I was able to complete this project, she
played a major role in my choice of topic and initial conception of the research.
Finally, I am extremely indebted to and thankful for the six women who were the
participants in this study. Without your time and involvement, this study would not have
been possible. I feel very privileged that you have allowed me to tell your stories and try
to understand and interpret what it is like for you to be a female chief admissions officer.
I am in awe of what you have accomplished as leaders and as women.

v
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TITLE PAGE ............................................................................................................... i

ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ ii

DEDICATION ........................................................................................................... iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................... v

LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................... ix

LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... x

CHAPTER

I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 1

Background of the Problem .................................................................. 2
Problem Statement ............................................................................... 7
Purpose of the Study ............................................................................ 8
Definition of Terms .............................................................................. 8
Research Questions .............................................................................11
Research Method .................................................................................12
Theoretical Orientation ........................................................................12
Researcher‘s Perspective .....................................................................14
Conceptual Framework .......................................................................16
Limitations ..........................................................................................16
Delimitations .......................................................................................17
Significance of the Study .....................................................................18
Organization of the Study ....................................................................20

II. LITERATURE REVIEW ..........................................................................21

Introduction .........................................................................................21
Critical Theory and Feminist Theory ...................................................21
Leadership Journey .............................................................................24
Career Development ......................................................................25
Obstacles to Advancement .............................................................38
Nature of the Current Leadership Experience ......................................45
Roles and Responsibilities .............................................................45
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

Page

Challenges of the Position ..........................................................................................48
Chapter Summary .......................................................................................................60

III. RESEARCH PROCEDURES ...................................................................62

Phenomenological Research Method ...................................................63
Selection of Participants ......................................................................69
Role of the Researcher ........................................................................77
Data Collection ...................................................................................79
Data Analysis ......................................................................................82
Ethical Considerations .........................................................................86
Validation of Findings .........................................................................87
Chapter Summary................................................................................91

IV. PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS ............................................................93

Introduction .........................................................................................93
Demographic Data ..............................................................................94
Coding ................................................................................................96
Themes and Sub-Themes.....................................................................99
Entering the Profession ..................................................................99
Sucked In .................................................................................... 106
Mentors ....................................................................................... 114
Chipping Away at the Big Issues ................................................. 124
Balancing .................................................................................... 143
Like a Roller Coaster ................................................................... 157
Leadership as a Social Process ..................................................... 174
Creating Positive Outcomes ......................................................... 209
Chapter Summary.............................................................................. 228

V. DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND CONCLUSION ............ 230

Introduction ....................................................................................... 230
Discussion of the Findings ................................................................ 231
An Illustration of the Leadership Experience ............................... 231
The Meaning of the Leadership Experience ................................. 233
Critical and Feminist Interpretation ............................................. 261
Recommendations for Practice .......................................................... 269
Recommendations for Future Studies ................................................ 275
Conclusion ........................................................................................ 277
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

Page

APPENDICES ......................................................................................................... 284

A: Personal Statement of the Researcher ...................................................... 285
B: Titles Indicative of Potential Chief Admissions Officer Status ................ 288
C: Approval E-mail from the Institutional Review Board ............................. 289
D: Letter of Support from the SACRAO President ....................................... 290
E: Recruitment E-mail to Potential Participants ........................................... 291
F: Telephone Protocol ................................................................................. 292
G: Interview Protocol ................................................................................... 294
H: Information Letter/Informed Consent Form ............................................. 295

REFERENCES......................................................................................................... 297

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page

1.1 Conceptual Framework for the Study ........................................................17

5.1 Data Display of the Leadership Experience of Female Chief
Admissions Officers .......................................................................... 232

5.2 Data Display of the Relational Leadership Practice of Female
Chief Admissions Officers ................................................................ 249
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