ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the actual experiences of one woman’s search for a presidency of an American college or university. The author describes an almost three-year journey with more than 30 conversations with search consultants, 19 applications, 13 first-stage interviews, and seven invitations to be a finalist before she accepted a presidency. She provides invaluable lessons learned, which will benefit women and other candidates as they begin the process themselves, and she details the difficulties encountered so that applicants will be prepared for the realities of the search process. By revealing the biases that limit opportunities for women and people of color, the author hopes to foster greater equity in higher education.
