Research Spotlight: The Underrepresentation of Women in Higher Education Leadership
Research Topic:
Exploring the Persistent Underrepresentation of Women in Higher Education Leadership Roles
Student Researcher:
Justine Cameron
Program:
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation
Where are you from and what led you to Marymount?
I was born and raised in Massachusetts, where I currently live. I’ve worked in higher education my entire career and currently serve as Dartmouth College’s director of accreditation and program evaluation. Education has always been something I’m really passionate about, so pursuing a doctoral degree in this field felt like a natural next step. Marymount stood out to me as a university known for its rigor and commitment to excellence in education, and the Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation program aligned closely with my professional goals.
Because my work is already deeply rooted in higher education, particularly in accreditation and program evaluation, I was looking for a program that would both challenge me academically and directly support my career growth. This program felt like the right fit to help me continue advancing in the field.
What has your experience in the program been like so far?
It’s been incredible! Very fast-paced but extremely rewarding. I started last fall and just completed my second semester. Balancing coursework with a full-time job and being a parent is a lot, but it’s been worth it.
What’s been especially meaningful is how the coursework is immediately applicable. In my previous academic experiences, there wasn’t always a direct connection between what I was studying and my professional work. Now, the assignments I’m completing directly relate to what I do in my role, which makes the learning feel impactful on both sides. It’s reinforced how this program is such a strong fit for me.
What is the focus of your research project?
My research project is a small subset of what will become my broader doctoral dissertation for the Ed.D. program, which will explore how motherhood impacts leadership identity, style and opportunities. Specifically, I’m interested in positioning motherhood as a “leadership crucible,” something that strengthens leadership capacity rather than being viewed as a limitation. I was inspired to pursue the topic because I recently became a mother and that experience reshaped how I think about leadership. I’ve found that the skills I’ve developed as a parent, particularly relational and ethical leadership, have deeply enriched how I lead and interact with others. That made me want to explore how motherhood is perceived in professional spaces and whether it’s undervalued.
The portion of my project that I presented at the 2026 Marymount Student Research Conference was focused on the underrepresentation of women in higher education leadership. It’s a particularly striking issue because women are overrepresented as undergraduate and graduate students, yet their representation drops significantly in leadership roles such as senior administrators, faculty and academic leaders. When you add intersecting identities, such as race or ethnicity, the underrepresentation becomes even more pronounced.
What are your conclusions so far?
One of the most notable findings is the clear gap between women’s representation as students and their representation in leadership roles. Beyond that, existing research highlights persistent hiring biases, including assumptions about family planning and long-term commitment.
There are also differences in how competence and commitment are perceived. Women, especially those with caregiving roles, are often judged differently. Interestingly, these perceptions aren’t limited to men—other women can hold similar biases. In academic settings, expectations around tenure and research productivity often overlap with the years when many individuals start families, which can affect advancement.
What are your goals for this research?
I hope my dissertation will lead to actionable recommendations for higher education institutions, including policies around parental leave, flexibility and equitable evaluation practices. More broadly, I want to shift the narrative so that motherhood is seen as an asset that enhances leadership, rather than a limitation. Even small changes in that perception would be meaningful.
What is the value of student research opportunities?
There’s so much value in being able to present and share your work. It helps build confidence in public speaking and prepares you for major milestones, like defending a dissertation. It also fosters a community of scholars and lifelong learners who appreciate research and its impact. Opportunities like this are what inspire people to engage in meaningful inquiry and share their findings.
