Paths to the community college presidency.

Community colleges are said to be woman-friendly, with ideals of open access. They're also hierarchical bureaucracies guided by male norms. That paradox helps explain why women lead so few of them.

Women make up 60% of community college students but only 29% of the presidents. Two-thirds of earned doctorates in education (the typical degree for a community college president) go to women, so there are plenty in the pipeline. But the increase in women community college presidents, from 8% in 1986 to 27% in 2001, has now slowed to a trickle. Will it pick back up?

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"Within community colleges, we are seeing a transition period. It is an opportunity for change," said Dr. Pamela Eddy, associate professor of higher education and doctoral program coordinator in educational leadership at Central Michigan University.

Bright young men filled the ranks of upper administration in the 1960s and 1970s when many two-year colleges were established. Now they're getting ready to retire. Nearly half of current presidents are age 61 or older, and 70% plan to retire in the next 10 years.

Where will the new presidents come from? Chief academic officer is the most common stepping stone, but they're retiring too. The candidate pool is shrinking.

Many mid-level administrators aren't interested. "They're shaking their heads saying 'You've got to be kidding. Why would I want to do that?'" she told WIHE. "Often women are the ones opting out."