At the helm — Female college presidents bring diversity, different perspectives to higher ed

Keeping with the national average of women in presidential roles at colleges and universities, Utah has two women at the helm among its 10 college and university leaders.

The schools headed by President F. Ann Millner and President Cynthia A. Bioteau — Weber State University and Salt Lake Community College — have come leaps and bounds during their tenure, putting them on the map of Utah's system of higher education in new ways. But neither woman takes the credit for themselves.

Neither president cites being a female in the midst of eight male presidents in the state as either a benefit or an obstacle, but rather a welcome piece of diversity in the higher education puzzle.

"I think the women presidents have a very holistic approach to their work," said Rich Kendell, Utah's commissioner of higher education. "They kind of see the wholeness of it and they don't overlook details." He said that although gender has had little to do with their success, "women presidents bring a good perspective to it all."

Bioteau, who lived, studied and worked on the East Coast, said her experience working at some of the best community colleges in the country made it possible for her to enhance SLCC.

"I found a remarkable gem in Salt Lake Community College that was just aching for a different style of leadership that would bring people together," said Bioteau, who has headed the school since May 2005. Her grass-roots approach for the two-year college has produced its largest-ever graduating class and the fifth-highest enrollment at community colleges in the nation, among other accomplishments for the multicampus school.

Throughout her more than 30 years experience as an educator and administrator, Bioteau said she hasn't focused on her gender at all but on her attitude and strengths.

"I really like people," she said. "If you like people and are engaged in learning from them, it gives you great access to sharing enthusiasm. And besides, it's never boring at a community college. It's an alive place to be."

The nearly 60,000 students SLCC serves each year are an outward expression of Bioteau's passion for the mission of the community college, which is to educate the work force.