Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Agricultural & Extension Education

Committee Chair

Dr. Haley Rosson

Committee Co-Chair

Dr. Jessica Blythe

Committee Member

Dr. Lisa DeFrank-Cole

Abstract

Over the last several decades, the rates at which women have been pursuing higher levels of education have steadily increased. However, there is a discrepancy between the number of women graduating, and the amount entering the workforce, specifically in leadership roles. The purpose of this study was to share a current profile of women in the West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service by allowing them to describe their career journeys, supports and barriers they may or may not have faced, and mentoring experiences. By using a non-experimental quantitative methodology, a population of male and female Extension Agents and Specialists were surveyed from West Virginia. The Four Domains of Leadership and Gender Framework was used to categorize and analyze responses. While some women in the West Virginia Extension Service noted that they did not perceive challenges due to their gender, others indicated differently. Respondents noted an incomplete mentor program, struggles obtaining a work/life balance, sexist leaders and competitive female co-workers. Opportunities to improve the mentor program, promoting networking and educational opportunities in leadership, and assisting women in balancing their career and personal lives may be the key to keeping women from facing burn out. Continued research on imposter syndrome, gender wage gap, and global/cross cultural leadership in the Extension Service is recommended.

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