From obscurity to prominence: A case study of the first woman president hired by a board of regents in Oklahoma President Emerita of Southwestern Oklahoma State University Dr. Joe Anna Hibler

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: Qualitative Case Study Research

Findings and Conclusions: Since the establishment of the public higher education system in the state of Oklahoma in 1890, there have been five women appointed permanently as president of a public college or university. A case study approach was applied to obtain a better understanding about the life experiences of retired president of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, President Emerita Dr. Joe Anna Hibler, and how those experiences translated into her ascent and success as a university president. Feminist Research Approach and Interpretivism were used in this study. Astin and Leland's Feminist Conceptual Framework of Leadership (1999) from Women of Influence, Women of Vision was applied to gather and interpret the information from the research study. Findings from the study emerged with the Wheel of Challenges for the Presidency.