Women CEO Deans of US Schools and Colleges of Pharmacy

Objective. Seventy-four women served as chief executive officer (CEO) deans of US schools and colleges of pharmacy from January 1988-December 2020. This study examined the characteristics of those women with the objective of providing information useful for preparing future women deans. Methods. Public domain resources were accessed to obtain information about women pharmacy CEO deans, including names of institution(s) where individuals had served or were serving, dates of service, academic background, whether they were a founding dean, and whether they had served or were serving in other academic higher education positions. Descriptive statistics (means, medians, standard deviations, and percentages) were used for data comparisons (quantitative research). Finally, three early women CEO deans provided perspectives about their deanships (qualitative research). Results. The median length of service was six years for women in office as of December 31, 2020, and eight years for women who had completed deanships. The percentage of deans holding a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) declined to 32.4%, while there was a concurrent rise in deans having a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree (58.8%); 79.4% of deans in office and 77% of all women deans had a professional pharmacy degree (B SPharm, PharmD, or both). Women had served or were currently serving as CEO deans at a wide variety of pharmacy schools. The percentage of schools with women deans has declined in recent years to 24%. Conclusion. Recommendations are put forward to prepare future women deans including increased mentoring and creation of an advanced leadership program aimed at potential deans.