Perspectives on Leadership from Female Engineering Deans

Foreign-born academic leaders in U.S. higher education.

“…As the environment reciprocated and endorsed their leadership identity, foreign-born leaders embraced and internalized that identity (DeRue & Ashford, 2010). These experiences were similar with the career paths of the female engineering deans interviewed by Layne (2010). Women in Layne’s (2010) study came to deanship through multiple routes but most of them did not intentionally plan to become a dean.…”

“…Although women have made some advancements in university administration, "the primary beneficiaries have been White women" (Wolfe & Patterson Dilworth, 2015, p. 675). Women are also still underrepresented in leadership positions in male-dominated disciplines, such as engineering (Layne, 2010). Women deans who were interviewed in Layne's (2010) study often faced "a double bind" (p. 2010) and had to negotiate between what people perceived as characteristics and behaviors of a leader versus a woman.…”

“…Women are also still underrepresented in leadership positions in male-dominated disciplines, such as engineering (Layne, 2010). Women deans who were interviewed in Layne’s (2010) study often faced “a double bind” (p. 2010) and had to negotiate between what people perceived as characteristics and behaviors of a leader versus a woman.…”

“…Deans not only provide academic leadership over the research and teaching functions of their college or school, but they also generate revenue, build relationships with outside constituents, and engage in long-term planning to ensure that their colleges and schools maintain strategic advantage in the times when there is increased competition for scarce resources and diverse talent (Cleverley-Thompson, 2016; de Boer & Goedegebuure, 2009; Montez et al, 2003). They do not just implement the policies of the university leadership, but they themselves have considerable autonomy to set their own direction, bring transformative change, and make significant impact on the well-being of faculty, staff, and students (Layne, 2010). The deanship is also often considered a stepping stone for top leadership positions, such as a provost or a president, which makes it a critical role in the academic leadership career ladder.…”

The Engineering "Pipeline" Metaphor and the Careers of Female Deans of Engineering

“…Other findings are presented elsewhere. 18,19 Since the interviews were explicitly for magazine profiles, there was no promise of confidentiality and no attempt to explore potentially sensitive topics in depth. Nevertheless, this somewhat unscientific sample of women who have achieved important leadership roles in engineering education can provide some insights into the many pathways possible in engineering careers and illustrate the limitations of the pipeline metaphor.…”