A huge amount of scrutiny with little room for error
President Danielle R. Holley shared some insights with MassLive on her experience as Mount Holyoke College鈥檚 first permanent president who is a woman of color amid the growing list of presidents stepping down from roles at academic institutions.
Last year, six out of the eight Ivy League presidential roles 鈥 typically dominated by men 鈥 were held by women. However, four of those six women have already stepped down, and three of those positions have been replaced by men.
Mount Holyoke College President Danielle R. Holley, who has held her role since July 2023, has watched as these women and people of color have resigned amid increasing public attention of college presidents in response to issues such as the war in Gaza.
鈥淚t is a sign that when women come into the CEO and president position 鈥 that there is a huge amount of scrutiny and also very little room for error,鈥 Holley said in a recent interview with MassLive.
As Mount Holyoke鈥檚 first permanent Black president in the College鈥檚 186-year history, Holley said her role carries some added pressures.
鈥淲e鈥檙e presumed incompetent many times. And I think that in itself is difficult, right? To be a leader and know that many people who meet you presume that you are not as smart, not as qualified, not as all of these things, just because of the color of your skin or the fact that you鈥檙e a woman,鈥 Holley said.
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