title: CLS to higher education administrator: the right navigational skills.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the experiences, training, and opportunities that directed and influenced the career paths of women clinical laboratory scientists that transitioned to higher education administrators.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multi-site case study design was selected for this qualitative research involving a purposive sample of eight research participants. Data collection was guided by ten open-ended questions in seven face-to-face and one telephone semi-formal interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  The purposive sample included women clinical laboratory scientists who held a current higher education administrative position at the dean's level, including associate and assistant dean positions, in a university setting. The participants were located in eight higher education institutions in Nebraska, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas.
  
  
  METHODS
  MAIN Leadership skills/characteristics, professional development opportunities, mentoring experiences, opportunities for advancement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Possessing a doctoral degree, demonstrating competence and strong leadership skills, having a good role model and/or mentor, displaying the ability to see the big picture, and possessing exemplary communication skills were identified by this group of women as necessary requirements for obtaining and maintaining a position as a higher education administrator.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The participants in this study confirmed that by possessing a terminal degree and a defined skill set, they were able to obtain a higher education administrator position.
authors.affiliation: Medical Laboratory Technician Program, Seward County Community College/Area Technical School, 520 N. Washington, Liberal, KS 67901, USA. suzanne.campbell@sccc.edu
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Barbara Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: LaCost
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014930:Women; D014933:Women's Rights