FEMALE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICERS IN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: PART II: REFLECTIONS ON CAREERS, MARRIAGE, AND FAITH

Abstract

This article is the second in a two-part series of case studies of sixteen female chief academic officers (CAO) serving in evangelical colleges and universities. The earlier article discussed each administrator's personal and academic background. This continues the reflections of these women regarding their careers, marital status and faith as factors that influenced their professional lives. The typical female administrator was 50, married, and the mother of one or more children. Although she had aspired to teach and received most of her early career experience in the professoriate, she had not aspired to be an administrator. Her family and professional roles were sometimes in conflict and required her to juggle her responsibilities. Regarding her spiritual convictions and personal disciplines, she adamantly believed both affected her daily work and personal life. The majority were appointed to their administrative positions. Only five reported applying for the position. A comparison needs to be made to determine if most men in these positions are appointed or apply, in order to describe if women are treated differently than men in the selection process for academic positions.