ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a qualitative exploration of women serving in the capacity of board of trustee chairs at select private colleges and universities. In broadening the understanding of women and leadership it is critical to examine the experiences of women serving in high-level leadership roles. The chapter presents the leadership journeys of five women and focuses on the experiences of challenge and mechanisms of support encountered by the women during their respective leadership journeys. Critical mass theory and feminist theory research is utilized as the underpinning for this exploration. The participants discuss barriers to success as well as systems of support, resulting in helpful strategies for women who may be in pursuit of similar leadership roles.
