Looking Back and Looking Ahead: A Review of the History and Impact of the CCCU Women's Leadership Development Institute
As one strategy for identifying and equipping more women and persons of color for senior leadership, a bi-annual CCCU Womens Leadership Development Institute (WLDI) has been offered on six occasions between 1998 and 2008. In total, 105 women who had been identified by their campuses as emerging leaders have participated in the year-long leadership development program launched at the Institute; 55 women participated over the same period in a parallel series of mixed Leadership Development Institutes involving both men and women.
The impact of these LDIs and WLDIs on participants has been measurable and catalytic to their advancement within the CCCU. A then and now assessment of the women who participated between 1998 and 2008 revealed that over 50% of the female participants had moved into more advanced positions on their campus or elsewhere. Advancements by women attending the LDI include 3 provosts, 5 vice presidents, 8 deans, 3 directors, and 6 faculty rank advancements. The WLDI advancements include 2 presidents, 7 provosts, 11 vice presidents, 14 deans, 9 directors, and 11 faculty rank advancements.
This paper explores recent shifts in leadership theory, the current leadership landscape for women, the issues women face in higher education and, in particular, the issues women face in evangelical higher education. In addition, the paper will discuss the history of the WLDI and the impact the Institute has had on its participants.