Chapter 9: Best Practices that Support Mid-Career Women Pursuing Leadership Roles in Higher Education

Mid-career women wishing to secure leadership roles in higher education for professional advancement should be encouraged and supported in their professional pursuits as it is in the best interest of their institutions of higher education. The mid-career stage offers a prime opportunity to invest in midcareer women. At a time of reckoning and with this goal as a priority, equity-minded institutional leaders must do what it takes to remove barriers that can prevent women from advancing. Leaders also need to ensure that support systems are provided to support women in preparation for taking leadership roles, and mid-career women in higher education need to take advantage of resources available on and off campus to invest in their preparation to lead successfully and with confidence. This chapter, therefore, offers background on this topic, discusses barriers, and suggests strategies for mid-career women to successfully navigate professional advancement.