Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

College

College of Education and International Services

Program

Higher Education Administration PhD

First Advisor

Bordes Henry-Saturne

Second Advisor

Jay Brand

Third Advisor

Janet Ledesma

Abstract

Problems

Research shows glass ceilings are thicker in faith-based institutions heavily governed by traditional beliefs and dominated by men. Research also shows singlism is on the rise in churches. There is limited research on the lived experiences of single, never married woman who reached the presidency (shattering the glass ceiling) in a faith-based institution. Leadership pundits predict a “great resignation”, which is an era of high presidential turnover, due to mounting challenges in the higher education presidency. Great resignation is a gender-neutral phenomenon, but women presidents are subject to stern criticism and penalties, leading to more disproportionate resignations. Furthermore, the tenure of women presidents compared to men presidents is shorter. There is limited research on how single, never married women presidents describe how they manage multiple crises (navigating the glass cliffs) and retain presidency in faith-based institutions.

Method

A qualitative single case study using narrative inquiry was used to explore the lived experiences and examine the leadership strategies of a single, never married woman president of a faith-based institution. Using a purposive sampling, this research focuses on Andrea Luxton’s journey, as the first single, never married woman president at Andrews University, a faith-based institution. To understand Luxton’s leadership journey, university archives, artifacts, articles, interviews, digital media content including her messages and speeches, were analyzed. Two interviews were conducted on two separate occasions with pre-selected questions. NVivo was the primary software utilized for the analysis in this qualitive study. To understand Luxton’s leadership strategies during specific crises, like the student-led campus #ItIsTimeAU grievance, the financial challenge that led to the closing of Andrews University dairy farm, and the crisis leadership during a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic were examined through her narratives.

Results

This research provides an in-depth insight into how single, never married women reach the presidency and remain in the presidency even during crises in faith-based institutions. As evidenced in this research, Luxton’s journey shows a glass ceiling exists in faith-based institutions and can be shattered. While gender and marital status may shape the worldview and leadership approach, they are not the determining factors in reaching the presidency at a faith-based institution. Important factors that led the aspirant leader to the presidency were leadership formation, leadership instinct, leadership enterprising, and leadership opportunities. Navigating the glass cliffs and remaining in the presidency can be attributed to strategic planning, team leadership, and dependence on God. During crisis leadership, there is no single “right” answer but rather a set of guiding principles that protect the institution, and its leader.

Conclusions

Aspirant women leaders, including single, never married women, can strategize and prepare to become the president of a faith-based institution and remain in the presidency. The pathway to the presidency and the implementation of a presidency is a whole journey, not isolated milestones. Aspirant presidents should keep leadership above themselves, recognize the role of the board, utilize team leadership as strategy during institutional crises, understand resilience as a necessary strength of the presidency, understand the power of vocation in leadership persistence, and evaluate the leadership using multiple data sources.

Subject Area

Universities and colleges--Administration; College presidents; Women college presidents

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