Women Presidents in Philippine Higher Education: Their Personal and Professional Journeys

Abstract

Women leadership is still a rare phenomenon though women have slowly but steadily gained access into leadership positions even of male-dominated disciplines and institutions. Through the phenomenological design and guided by Gottfredson’s (1981) circumscription, compromise, and self-creation theory, the lived experiences of 7 women leaders in Philippine higher education revealed the role of home and family, schools and teachers, career paths, and mentors in the development of women’s leadership potential. All participants had positive relationships with their parents and other significant persons who instilled in them high regard for education, passion for reading, hard work, and service. Their parents empowered them; hence, they grew up with a strong sense of power to create their future. They excelled in school and were highly involved in extra-curricular activities; had healthy relationships with their teachers; obtained the highest educational qualifications; and benefited from their varied work experiences and mentorship from male and female leaders and colleagues. Their personal and professional journeys led them to the highest leadership post of leading colleges and universities in the country, a calling and a privilege achieved only by a few.