Date Approved
12-2014
Graduate Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Education (M.Ed.)
Degree Program
College of Education
First Advisor
Mary Bair
Second Advisor
Jay Cooper
Third Advisor
Patricia Oldt
Fourth Advisor
Marlene Kowalski-Braun
Abstract
The number of women pursuing higher education now outnumbers that of men. However, the number of women in administration and faculty roles does not mirror that of the student population. Instead, women are often found in midlevel and low level positions, especially within student services and student affairs. This thesis is a qualitative study that employs the phenomenological method to explore and examine the professional experiences of seven midlevel administrators in student affairs and student services at GVSU. The constant comparative method of coding was used to analyze the data, identify themes, and articulate assertions. The themes that emerged from the study included the path to the administrator role, experiences as an administrator, negotiating work life balance and mission/motivation. The findings of this study exhibited that midlevel women administrators at GVSU experience an environment that is supportive of women.
ScholarWorks Citation
Mayo, Christy M., "Professional Experiences of Women Administrators in Student Services" (2014). Masters Theses. 744.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/744
