College-Aged Women and Leadership: Understanding the Variables Impacting College-Aged Women Student Leaders

Attending college offers many women the opportunity to take on a variety of leadership positions. As women take on more leadership roles today while in college, barriers inhibiting their involvement still exist. The campus climate and societal expectations are two such barriers that can deter women from taking on leadership posi-tions. This paper examines the history and perpetuation of barriers that exist for women student leaders in higher education settings. How these barriers have changed and can continue to change in the future in order to promote greater campus involvement and accept-ance of women student leaders will also be discussed. Recommendations addressing the specific needs of women student leaders and suggestions for their leadership development will also be addressed. Throughout the 20th century, women fought to achieve equality with men in all aspects of their lives. In certain arenas this fight continues into the present day