Moving the Needle: Advancing Women in Higher Education Leadership

About the Initiative

​Through the Moving the Needle: Advancing Women in Higher Education Leadership® initiative, we will bring national awareness to the importance of achieving gender parity and diversity in higher education leadership. The mission of this initiative is to increase the number of women in senior leadership positions in higher education through programs, research, and resources.

The vision: Achieve gender parity in the percentage of higher education chief executives by 2030.

In support of the purpose, mission, and vision of Moving the Needle, the following goals were adopted in 2014:

  • Generate a national sense of urgency elevating the need for advancing women in higher education leadership positions
  • Encourage governing boards and other higher education institutional decision and policy-making bodies to consider practices for recruiting and hiring women to chief executive offices
  • Achieve women’s advancement to mid-level and senior-level positions in higher education administration by building capacities in women and in institutions
  • Suggest practices and models that recognize success in advancing women in higher education
Status of Women Leaders

While many believe that women’s battle for gender parity in the workplace has already been won, recent data suggest that this is far from reality. Although women now earn the majority of all college degrees and are well represented in entry- and mid-level positions in most sectors of the economy, they have made surprisingly little progress in advancing to chief executive positions.

Data from the American Council on Education’s American College President Study (ACPS) report show how the statistics regarding women in higher education leadership have been progressing. Still, there are many improvements that need to be made regarding women in higher education:

  • Women remain outnumbered by men in the college presidency by a ratio of 2:1, with about 33 percent of presidencies currently held by women
  • Women aspire to the presidency, on average, 3.3 years later than men. However, on average, once women do apply, they are ascending to the presidency more quickly
  • Women were less likely to report a realistic assessment of challenges and clear expectations by the board and/or system disclosed during the search process
  • Nearly six in 10 women arrive to the presidency from a faculty or academic career pathway
  • Women were more likely to work a part-time or reduced schedule or postpone a job search or promotion to care for minor dependents

Use the button below to explore more data about women in the presidency.

Using the interactive infographic: Look for clickable icons below to engage with interactive features. To view full-screen or to share, hover over the infographic's top right corner to reveal the screen and share icons.​

 Infographic

Pledge Signers

Since 2014, more than 900 higher education leaders dedicated to diversifying higher education leadership have signed the pledge. The data below explores some of the demographics regarding pledge signers from over 730 institutions in the United States, Australia, Canada, Northern Marianas, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.​

Moving the Needle Inagural Signers

Click below to use the interactive infographic: Look for clickable icons below to engage with interactive features. To view full-screen or to share, hover over the infographic's top right corner to reveal the screen and share icons.​

 Infographic

Sign the Pledge

​As a higher education leader, I recognize...

my ability to affect change, inform perception, and elevate priorities. I have a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of leaders who will succeed me. I promote the advancement of women as a global imperative and seek ways to support the advancement of all women. By signing on to this commitment, I pledge to:

  • Nominate and promote qualified women to the highest positions of leadership in higher education wherever and whenever possible
  • Provide opportunities for emerging women leaders to gain access to the skills and experiences necessary to advance
  • Educate others, including but not limited to members of the board, faculty, and administrators, on the benefits of gender-diversified leadership
  • Empower teams in my own institution to sponsor women leaders

Click the button to add your name in support of Moving the Needle: Advancing Women in Higher Education Leadership. Once you have signed on to the commitment, you will be redirected to a page with resources on how to engage your community, campus, and networks around Moving the Needle.

Information Request Policy

Our signers are listed by institution. Limited access to signer information can be requested by email. For data requests and any questions about the initiative, please email movingtheneedle@acenet.edu​​.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

What You Can Do

​Stay Connected

Thank you for joining Moving the Needle: Advancing Women in Higher Education Leadership. We appreciate your support of this important initiative. Here are some ways to stay engaged:

​​Spread the Word

  • Spread the word about the campaign on your institution’s social media sites, including Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Craft your own message, use one of our suggestions​, or click an icon below to instantly share this page or a suggested message:

  • Engage with your local media about the importance of the initiative
  • Tailor this “Dear Colleague” letter and send it to your presidential colleagues​ (especially those working within your system, if applicable, or institutional members of associations that you are also a member of), telling them about Moving the Needle and asking for their support
  • Add this link on your website <https://www.acenet.edu/Programs-Services/Pages/communities/Moving-the-Needle.aspx> about the progress of the campaign
  • Include an article in your e-newsletter, print newsletter, or blog

Join the Commitment!

Pledge your commitment to achieving gender parity and diversity in higher education by signing ACE's initiative Moving the Needle: Advancing Women in Higher Education Leadership.

sign the pledge