Date of Award
Summer 2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Committee Chair
Morgan Blanton
Abstract
This mixed methods study explored the experiences of female district superintendents and high school principals working in North Carolina and investigated the internal and external factors that contributed to their resilience and motivation to pursue and persist in top educational leadership positions. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to explore how these women described their leadership experiences and the key factors that sustained their resilience in these demanding positions. By examining the challenges and motivators that influenced their journeys, the study will add to existing research and literature regarding female leadership. Findings from the study revealed that female leaders described their leadership as meaningful work shaped by their experiences of growth, workplace environments, and a commitment to overcome challenges. Despite barriers, their resilience was sustained through purposeful work, supportive relationships, and collaborative work environments. Implications highlighted the need for structured mentorships, improved working conditions, and targeted support to strengthen leadership retention.
Recommended Citation
Barbee, Katie M., "Pursue and Persist: A Mixed Methods Inquiry of Female Leaders' Experiences as High School Principals and Superintendents" (2025). Doctor of Education Dissertations. 248.
https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/education-dissertations/248
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License