Slow Progress in Increasing Women in the College and University Leadership Pipeline

A new report from the American Council on Education and the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPR-HR) examines the racial and gender diversity of the pipeline for future college and university presidents. The results of the survey point to the likelihood that little progress can be expected in the years ahead in the number of women in leadership positions at our leading educational institutions. Today, about one quarter of all college and university presidents are women.

The survey of senior administrators at colleges and universities across the United States found that between 2008 and 2013 the percentage of women in these top posts increased slightly from 40 percent to 43 percent. The results found that today, women are 41 percent of the chief academic officers, 28 percent of the deans of academic colleges, and 36 percent of executive vice presidents.

Women are 49 percent of the chief diversity officers and 72 percent of the chiefs of staffs. These posts are probably less likely than the others listed to produce women who go on to become college presidents.

Stephanie Bell-Rose, director of the TIAA-CREF Institute, which helped fund the study, commented: “Diversity of both thought and background helps drive fresh ideas and perspectives, enriching the intellectual and cultural environment of an organization. This study underscores the importance of developing a diverse higher education leadership pipeline, which is essential to meeting the needs of an increasing diverse student population.”