The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Female leaders in higher education have created more inclusive and open institutions – here are 3 key figures

  • Written by Thalia Plata, Editorial Intern
Female leaders in higher education have created more inclusive and open institutions – here are 3 key figures

How have female leaders in higher education shaped the state of the field today, and what broader lessons can be learned from them? Recently, Carmen Twillie Ambar[1], president of Oberlin College and Conservatory, and Carol T. Christ[2], chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, explored this question with Michele Ozumba[3], former president of the Women’s College Coalition and board member of The Conversation, during a webinar hosted by The Conversation. They approached the issue through the lens of “Junctures in Women’s Leadership: Higher Education[4],” a book the three edited jointly and to which they each contributed chapters. The speakers discussed trends in female leadership, practical advice and takeaways from the women they interviewed for their book. Below are the stories of three women the editors discussed, with edited remarks.

Women’s Transformative Power in Higher Education and Beyond.

1. Bernice Sandler – Opening the door for women in higher education

Bernice Sandler waves at people in the stands on a basketball court
Bernice Sandler is honored at halftime as a champion of Title IX at the NCAA Women’s 2012 National Championship in 2012, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Col. AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images[5]

Starting their book with Bernice Sandler’s story was a purposeful decision, according to the editors. “Even though she wasn’t a university president, she offered a pathway for many of the women featured in the book because of her work on Title IX,” Ozumba remarked. Bernice Sandler has been nicknamed the “Godmother of Title IX” for her pioneering work in education.

Following completion of her doctorate at the University of Maryland, Sandler applied to a variety of teaching positions for which she was qualified, but kept getting rejected. She was told she “came on too strong for a woman,” Ozumba said.

While upsetting to hear, this comment eventually led Sandler to fight against sex discrimination and advocate for equal rights in education.

With the support of members of Congress, in 1972 Sandler helped shepherd the passage of Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or other education program receiving federal funding.

“That groundbreaking work opened the door for this whole conversation around gender equity, as well as racial equity in higher education,” Ozumba said.

2. Ruth Simmons – Social change and authenticity

Ruth Simmons talks behind a lectern Ruth Simmons. Jemal Countess/WireImage via Getty Images[6]

In 2003, Brown University became one of the first universities to address its relationship with slavery, thanks to then-President Ruth Simmons, the first Black president of an Ivy League university.

Simmons appointed a committee to investigate Brown’s history with slavery, a controversial decision that made headlines, according to Oberlin’s Ambar.

As the youngest daughter of sharecroppers born in rural Texas during the Jim Crow era of segregation, Simmons by her own account is “barely three generations removed” from her slave ancestors.

Her background is “part of her authentic self,” Ambar said, discussing her interview with Simmons.

The committee issued a report detailing Brown’s founders’ involvement in slavery and how it benefited the university, which led to implementation of several diversity initiatives.

“Almost every institution is thinking about [social] issues [now]. Ruth just did 20 years earlier,” Ambar said.

Ambar’s interview with Simmons not only helped her understand the impact of women in higher education but also informed her own leadership.

“She said [about her decision], ‘It didn’t feel bold, it just felt right.’ And it’s something that I keep on my mind a lot as a leader,” Ambar said.

3. Hanna Gray – The power of communicating

Portrait of Hanna Gray in front of a University of Chicago crest Hanna Gray. Bettmann/Getty Images

Hanna Gray, the first female president of the University of Chicago, stepped into that leadership role in 1978 at a time when the university was facing declining enrollment and financial troubles, according to UC Berkeley’s Christ.

In her interview with Christ, Gray acknowledged “the temptation to fix everything that’s wrong immediately.”

“But [she] understood that you have to be selective about your issues [and be able to] pick them well,” Christ said, recounting her interview with Gray. “And picking well depends both on understanding the landscape and higher education and also really understanding the institution that you’re leading,” Christ said.

According to Christ, a major reason behind her success as president was delegating and communicating with faculty at the university and understanding the governing structures in place already.

“Universities are very complex organizations and the authority tends to be really distributed,” Christ said in analyzing Gray’s success. “So if you want to create a major change, you have to be able to get people to join your parade and actually think that your parade is the best.”

References

  1. ^ Carmen Twillie Ambar (www.oberlin.edu)
  2. ^ Carol T. Christ (chancellor.berkeley.edu)
  3. ^ Michele Ozumba (micheleozumba.com)
  4. ^ Junctures in Women’s Leadership: Higher Education (www.amazon.com)
  5. ^ AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com)
  6. ^ Jemal Countess/WireImage via Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/female-leaders-in-higher-education-have-created-more-inclusive-and-open-institutions-here-are-3-key-figures-166933

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...