Date of Award

Fall 12-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program/Concentration

Educational Leadership

Committee Director

Karen Sanzo

Committee Member

Jay Scribner

Committee Member

Charlie Daniels

Abstract

This phenomenological qualitative study investigated the underrepresentation of women and racially marginalized individuals in the superintendent position, the highest leadership position within K-12 public education. The superintendent position has been overwhelmingly represented by males, even though women were the majority of the teaching workforce. Grounded by institutional theory and viewed through a phenomenological lens, I examined how organizational norms, hiring practices, and access to mentorship contributed to and upheld systemic barriers to the superintendent position. Through exploring the interpreted lived experiences of current female superintendents across public school districts that reflected the national patterns, this research addressed the disparities in leadership pathways. Institutional theory offered a lens for examining how established leadership pathways replicated hiring patterns and reinforced systemic barriers. Using phenomenological research, the study revealed how historical norms, biases, and structural inequities impacted the advancement of diverse leaders into high-level positions. By understanding the experiences of sitting female superintendents from public school districts, I propose actionable, evidence-based strategies, including mentorship programs, transparent hiring practices, and leadership development targeted to underrepresented individuals. The findings aimed to inform school district policy reforms and reshape institutional practices that continue inequities, resulting in a more inclusive and effective educational leadership career pathway.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/01p0-qg79

ISBN

9798276042404

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