I keep the subject of my inquiry constantly before me, and wait till the first dawning opens gradually, by little and little, into a full and clear light. Isaac Newton — CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION, DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS, AND REFLECTIONS The purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which women presidents have experienced the phenomenon of resilience along their paths to the presidency. As a female leader in higher education aspiring to become a president, I have a personal interest in learning from the experiences of other women who have successfully ascended to the presidency. Gender inequity continues to exist in higher education leadership, despite the parity that exists among its students. Multiple studies have been conducted that reveal the gender gap that persists among college and university presidents; however, few studies focus on how women successfully overcome adversity and become presidents. I felt compelled to study women presidents to gain insight into their journeys and to reveal the source of their strength and determination. Discussion of the Findings The three dimensions of resilience constitute the essence of the phenomenon as experienced by the participants in this study: (a) resilience as a response to adversity, (b) resilience that shapes identity and the capacity for personal and professional success, and (c) resilience that enhances the meaning and purpose of the personal and participants’
I keep the subject of my inquiry constantly before me, and wait till the first dawning opens gradually, by little and little, into a full and clear light. — Isaac Newton CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION, DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS, AND REFLECTIONS The purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which women presidents have experienced the phenomenon of resilience along their paths to the presidency. As a female leader in higher education aspiring to become a president, I have a personal interest in learning from the experiences of other women who have successfully ascended to the presidency. Gender inequity continues to exist in higher education leadership, despite the parity that exists among its students. Multiple studies have been conducted that reveal the gender gap that persists among college and university presidents; however, few studies focus on how women successfully overcome adversity and become presidents. I felt compelled to study women presidents to gain insight into their journeys and to reveal the source of their strength and determination. Discussion of the Findings The three dimensions of resilience constitute the essence of the phenomenon as experienced by the participants in this study: (a) resilience as a response to adversity, (b) resilience that shapes identity and the capacity for personal and professional success, and (c) resilience that enhances the meaning and purpose of the participants’ personal and
HEOC_Heather-Bigard-dissertation-EDITED-post-defense-copy.docx