Breaking the Stained-Glass Ceiling: The Gendered Experiences of Women College Presidents of Catholic Institutions

Abstract

This interpretive phenomenological study features the leadership experience of 16 current and former women college presidents of U.S. Roman Catholic colleges and universities. With Catholic organizations barring women from top leadership roles within the Church, the term “stained-glass ceiling” describes the unique leadership barriers that women face in Catholic higher education. Using Acker’s theory of gendered organizations as a framework, analysis revealed six findings that illustrate the exclusionary nature of the Catholic patriarchy, as well as women’s strategies for navigating these environments: waiting for the “right” presidency, emphasizing their difference, being “chief mission officer,” leading social justice initiatives, and supporting future leaders. Together, findings illustrate how participants shaped their presidencies in ways that aligned with their values and advanced women’s opportunity in the field. We offer implications for practice and future research.