ACE: women, minorities March to the head of the table.(American Council on Education )

Leadership in higher education is beginning to reflect the student body, with continued growth among the number of women and minorities who sit at the head of the table. From 1986 to 2001, the percentage of women who are presidents of colleges and universities has more than doubled, from 9.5% to 21.1%, while minority presidents have increased from 8.1%to 12.8%.

 
Increase in Women and Minority Presidents 
 
           Women  Minorities 
 
2000-2001  21.1%     12.8% 
1998-1999  19.3      11.3 
1995-1996  16.5      10.7 
1990-1991  11.8       9.6 
1986-1987   9.5       8.1 

Although the increase since 1999 has been small, new hires since January 1999 are more likely to be women (24%) and minorities (21%).

Trends and changes in the face of higher education in the U.S.A. are tabulated every two years, when the American Council on Education surveys college and university presidents. Its latest report, American College President: 2002, indicates that while the average president is a 57-year-old white male, more subtle demographic indicators reflect an evolution in leadership since the biennial surveys began in 1986.

The 2002 ACE report reflects 2,594 responses to surveys received from those sent to 3,848 presidents, CEOs and systems heads, so it is not a statistically valid sample, just an indication of trends.

Despite recent gains, women remain underrepresented as presidents. Although 40% of faculty and senior staff are women, they are only about one-fifth of the nation's college and university presidents.

"The good news in this report on college presidents is that women and minorities hold more college and university presidencies today than ever before," explained ACE President David Ward. At doctoral schools female presidents have more than tripled since 1986, totaling 13% today. "But the bad news is a leveling off of this increased diversity," added Ward.