The Career Experience of Women in Senior-Level Leadership Positions within Power 5 Intercollegiate Athletic Departments: A Phenomenological Study

Author

Lynsey MillerFollow

Date of Award

8-2021

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Higher Education Administration

Major Professor

Dorian McCoy

Committee Members

Patrick Biddix, Adam Love, Dara Worrell

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the career experiences of women in senior-level leadership positions within Power 5 intercollegiate athletic departments. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to collect data from eight senior-level female administrators working in Power 5 athletic departments. Four themes emerged from data analysis, including pathway to senior-level leadership, mentorship and support, stereotypes, and intersectional constraints. This research adds to the body of existing literature by further addressing the experiences of underrepresented groups within intercollegiate athletics administration, particularly within the Power 5 conferences. Theoretical contributions and practical implications for the career experiences of women in senior-level leadership positions within Power 5 intercollegiate athletic departments are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Miller, Lynsey, "The Career Experience of Women in Senior-Level Leadership Positions within Power 5 Intercollegiate Athletic Departments: A Phenomenological Study. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 2021.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/6589