While the majority of students at Baptist colleges, universities, and seminaries are female, women continue to be underrepresented in senior administration roles and the faculty positions that act as precursors to leadership positions. The purpose of this study was to explore the career pathways of women who have attained senior leadership positions at Baptist institutions of higher education. The research included an analysis of success factors and barriers that women faced in their ascent to senior roles. The qualitative research utilized an interview format with open-ended questions to collect data regarding participants' experiences at Baptist institutions of higher education. The study identified six implications: (1) Women continue to be underrepresented at the senior-most administrative levels in Baptist higher education. (2) Since the most common pathway to the presidency is through academic ranks, more women are needed in all levels of academic leadership to be prepared for top academic positions. (3) Across the nonpresidential senior administrator positions, Baptist institutions are more open than ever to hiring from outside the institution. (4) The president remains the most influential decision-maker in hiring women for top leadership positions. (5) The study's participants reported the same success factors in career advancement as in precedent literature, with the addition of a woman's identity as a leader. (6) This study's participants reported the same career barriers as reported previously in precedent literature, with the addition of undeveloped leadership identity. The results of this study provide insight for emerging female leaders about how to navigate their own career pathways and to existing campus leaders about how to create organizational cultures that are more favorable toward women in leadership roles. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]