Female Chief Executive Officers

The author surveyed all of the female chief executive officers (CEOs) in four-year public institutions in the United States (96% response rate) to ascertain their career progression. Most of the respondents conformed to a structured (also called principal) career path. Further, four variations in this path were identified. In many of these cases, career paths varied in unique ways. A major conclusion was that the CEOs career paths did not follow a set sequence. Strategies for career advancement and career maintenance and sustenance are offered.