ABSTRACT
This chapter will describe the characteristics of online communities as viable communities of practice for women aspiring to leadership roles in higher education through the lens of collaborative leadership.
Online communities are a thriving, innovative opportunity to promote women’s leadership in higher education. However, these communities represent markedly different environments than traditional organizations due to the geographic distribution of their members, variance in leadership roles, and institutional types (Johnson, 2001; Corcoran & Duane (2019). Women who find themselves in leadership positions often navigate structural systems and expectations that are at odds with their leadership styles. A lack of representation often finds these leaders seeking external community. A need for connection represents additional devalued labor outside of their institutions to share challenges, gain skills, receive affirmation in their many identities, and access leadership training and professional development opportunities.
This chapter proposes the possibilities of new research and value given to the role of online communities, using principles of collaborative leadership and communities of practice as considerations for viable, low-cost mechanisms that yield more equitable mentoring and sponsorship opportunities for leadership development.
