Examination of Mentoring Relationships of Women in Student Affairs

Abstract

According to the American Council on Education (2007) the growth of women in leadership positions in higher education has been slow and has not taken place consistently at different types of higher education institutions. Women in higher education leadership positions have increased, but still lag behind men in their rate of advancement to the senior student affairs officer (SSAO) position. A 1998 study of 200 women with membership in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) indicated that women in assistant and associate director level positions have some of the lowest levels of organizational commitment and life satisfaction (Blackhurst, 1998). Therefore, researchers have identified the establishment of mentoring relationships as a professional asset that may help women’s career satisfaction and career advancement in the student affairs profession (Blackhurst, 2000; Weinberg, Welsh, Hezlett, 2003). The purpose of this study was to examine the mentoring relationships of women in the student affairs profession. A researcher developed survey instrument was used to examine the existence of mentoring relationships and their influence on career satisfaction and career advancement. A total of 120 (n=120) females in mid-level, senior level, and chief student affairs officer positions participated in the study. Descriptive data summarized the types of mentoring relationship received, length of employment in student affairs, highest level of education, frequency of meeting with mentor, and the race and gender of their most significant mentor. The results of the ANOVA conducted for both the career satisfaction and career advancement scales showed a statistically significant relationship with receiving either formal or informal mentoring. Therefore, results from the study suggest that participating in a formal or informal mentoring relationship appears to have a significant influence on career satisfaction and career advancement for women in student affairs positions.

According to the American Council on Education (2007) the growth of women in leadership positions in higher education has been slow and has not taken place consistently at different types of higher education institutions. Women in higher education leadership positions have increased, but still lag behind men in their rate of advancement to the senior student affairs officer (SSAO) position. A 1998 study of 200 women with membership in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) indicated that women in assistant and associate director level positions have some of the lowest levels of organizational commitment and life satisfaction (Blackhurst, 1998). Therefore, researchers have identified the establishment of mentoring relationships as a professional asset that may help women’s career satisfaction and career advancement in the student affairs profession (Blackhurst, 2000; Weinberg, Welsh, Hezlett, 2003).

The purpose of this study was to examine the mentoring relationships of women in the student affairs profession. A researcher developed survey instrument was used to examine the existence of mentoring relationships and their influence on career satisfaction and career advancement. A total of 120 (n=120) females in mid-level, senior level, and chief student affairs officer positions participated in the study.

Descriptive data summarized the types of mentoring relationship received, length of employment in student affairs, highest level of education, frequency of meeting with mentor, and the race and gender of their most significant mentor. The results of the ANOVA conducted for both the career satisfaction and career advancement scales showed a statistically significant relationship with receiving either formal or informal mentoring. Therefore, results from the study suggest that participating in a formal or informal mentoring relationship appears to have a significant influence on career satisfaction and career advancement for women in student affairs positions.