In the Middle: Work-Life Integration of Mid-Level Women Leaders in a Rural Community College System

Abstract

Objective/Research Question: Research indicates that work-life integration is linked with career satisfaction for women administrators in higher education. This study focused on midlevel women leaders who are an essential component of higher education organizations and asked the question: how do mid-level women leaders in rural community colleges experience work-life integration? Method: Seeking to understand if the gendered ideal worker norm was prevalent in the work-life integration experiences of mid-level women leaders, we employed a qualitative design that drew upon phenomenological methods, to explore the work-life integration experiences of 12 mid-level women leaders in a rural community college system in the Northeastern United States. Results: Data gathered from both individual and focus group interviews with 12 participants yielded new knowledge about those participants’ experiences and had implications for practice. Conclusions: Emergent themes in this study help to fill gaps in previous research by offering a tentative framework for understanding specific characteristics that may increase successful work-life integration for women mid-level leaders in a community college setting. Implications and recommendations are discussed. To understand unique individual experiences and institutional cultures, further research is suggested in the area of community college leadership.