Empowering Her Path: Examining the Impact of Leadership Training on Women Staff in Higher Education Institutions 206 views

Women remain underrepresented in leadership roles across higher education, particularly among professional and administrative staff. Existing research has focused largely on faculty, leaving the experience of women staff unexamined in scholarship and practice. This capstone explores how leadership training offered through the human resources department at a public research university addressed the needs of attendees and gave them tools for their career. This qualitative case study focused on a three-hour Women in Leadership course offered through human resources at Southern State University. Guided by behavioral leadership theory and feminist critical theory, the study explored the intent and perceived impact of the course. Data was collected through document review and semi-structured interviews with the course facilitator and eight women staff participants representing diverse units and career stages. Many participants expressed a desire for more actionable strategies, deeper engagement with institutional power dynamics, and opportunities to apply learning in real-world contexts. A central finding of the study was the strong demand for mentorship, peer connection, and opportunities for women to share their experiences. Institutions should invest in ongoing, relationship-centered leadership development that centers women’s lived experiences, formalizes mentorship, and aligns training with the organizational context of higher education.

EDD (Doctor of Education)

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2026-04-09