Essence of Leadership: Lived Experiences of Women Deans in the College of Criminal Justice Education

Abstract

Women in academia often lag behind men in terms of status, salary, and leadership roles, particularly in male-dominated fields such as Criminal Justice Education. While this disparity is less pronounced in the Philippines, there remains a noticeable underrepresentation of women in academic leadership positions. This descriptive phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of seven women deans of Colleges of Criminal Justice Education in Region V, aiming to understand the essence of leadership through their personal and professional journeys. In-depth interviews were conducted, guided by liberal feminist theory and role congruity theory. Three major themes emerged: (1) Formative Experience and Disposition, with sub-themes including family financial background, upbringing, and education; (2) Work-Life Balance; and (3) Impact of Gender Roles and Coping Strategies. The findings revealed that gender played a crucial role in shaping the participants’ leadership identities, challenging the notion that leadership is predominantly a male domain. These women deans faced the dual pressures of professional responsibilities and societal expectations regarding gender roles, often relying on family support to manage both spheres. The study concluded that leadership in higher education should be redefined to reflect the diverse experiences of women. Recommendations include developing leadership training programs tailored to women's needs, reassessing institutional gender biases, promoting gender parity in academic leadership, and conducting further research on women’s leadership—particularly at the deanship level and within the Philippine context. The insights drawn from these women leaders underscore the importance of creating inclusive and supportive structures that enable more women to rise to leadership positions in higher education.