The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the understanding of possible reasons for a large gender gap in the number of men and women serving as PK-12 public school district superintendents in Iowa in 2022-2023. This study provided information on the career path experiences of female superintendents compared to male superintendents serving in Iowa PK-12 public school districts. Additionally, this study presented information regarding the career longevity of women serving as superintendents throughout their careers in Iowa PK-12 public school districts compared to male superintendents. Finally, this study provided information regarding gender-related barriers that 2022-2023 female PK-12 Iowa public school superintendents perceived experiencing during their superintendent experience compared to the perceptions of male PK-12 Iowa public school superintendents. To achieve this overall objective, the following research questions framed this study: 1. What are the career path experiences that lead women to their first PK-12 Iowa public school district superintendent position as compared to career path experiences that lead men to their first PK-12 Iowa public school district superintendent position? 2. What is the position longevity for female PK-12 Iowa public school district superintendents in their first superintendent role as compared to their male superintendent counterparts? 3. Pertaining to all PK-12 Iowa public school district superintendent positions held throughout their career, what has been the career longevity for female superintendents as compared to their male superintendent counterparts? 4. What gender-related barriers do female PK-12 Iowa public school district superintendents perceive they have experienced as compared to those that PK-12 Iowa male superintendents perceive female superintendents have experienced?In an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, the researcher gathers data through a quantitative form and then uses qualitative data to explain and support the results (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). In this study, the quantitative findings were gathered through the use of an online survey. Qualitative results were gathered through the implementation of semi-structured interviews. Data from the survey and interviews were collected subsequently, with survey participants indicating interest for an interview on the final question of the survey. The qualitative data were collected to verify, clarify, and enrich the responses gathered by the quantitative instrument. [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.]