Wednesday, November 18, 2026
12 PM - 2 PM

Dissertation title: Exploring the Perceptions of Female Senior Civil Servants on Education and Mentorship as Pathways to Leadership in St. Kitts and Nevis

Program name: Educational Leadership- Organizational Justice Equity and Inclusion (OJEI) Track

Zoom link

Abstract of the dissertation

The purpose of this general qualitative study was to explore how female senior civil servants (FSCS) in the St. Kitts and Nevis Civil Service (SKNCS) perceived the roles of education and mentorship, and the organizational, relational, and institutional conditions that shaped their progression into senior leadership. Although women hold a majority of public sector jobs and most Permanent Secretary posts in St. Kitts and Nevis, little research has examined how women in senior positions describe their own advancement. Three research questions addressed leadership trajectories, education and mentorship, and organizational barriers and supports. Human Capital Theory and Social Capital Theory together provided the interpretive framework. Twelve FSCS were purposively sampled and participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Dissertation committee members:
Dr. Rashmi Sharma (Chair)
Dr. Katrina Daytner
Dr. James LaPrad