Date
2-29-2024
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Chair
Heather Strafaccia
Keywords
gender roles, negotiation, administrator, higher education, inclusivity, equity, pay gap
Disciplines
Educational Leadership | Higher Education
Recommended Citation
Hernandez, Nancy Kay, "The Lived Experiences of Women in Higher Education Administrator Roles Through the Salary Negotiation Process at the Time of Hire: A Phenomenological Study" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5228.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5228
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of salary negotiation at the time of hire for women in full-time administrator positions at Texas institutions of higher education. Eagly’s social role theory guided this study to explain gender roles and negotiation. A qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach was used to explore the experiences of women in higher education administrator roles during the salary negotiation process. Institutions within the south-central regions of Texas, including public and private colleges and universities, served as the site for this study. Participants were 12 women in full-time administrator positions at one of the included Texas institutions in South Central Texas. For this study, administrators included vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, associate vice presidents, deans, associate deans, assistant deans, provosts, and directors. Data collection included individual interviews, a focus group, and document analysis to ensure triangulation. The analysis involved memoing, identifying patterns and themes through coding, and data presentation. The thematic findings of this study were should have asked for more, imposter syndrome, mentorship, and collaboration. Results indicated that many biases play into women in higher education administrator roles and the salary negotiation process at the time of hire. Women felt pressure to balance the expected roles of showing gratitude and politeness with negotiating a salary and appearing overly assertive. Access to data such as pay scales, budgets, market analysis, negotiation techniques, and preparedness can help women in higher education administrator roles negotiate salaries more effectively. Mentorship and supportive networks were found to be significant contributors to the salary negotiation success.
