As part of Women’s History Month, the CSU Student Success Network (Network) celebrates all women across the California State University system and is honored to uplift the voices of three women leaders deeply involved in the Network: Dr. Ellie Clifford Ertle, Interim Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education and Academic Success at Chico State; Dr. Duan Jackson, Systemwide Director for Student Advising Initiatives at California State University, Office of the Chancellor; and Dr. Larissa Mercado-López, Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Fresno State. These leaders bring deep expertise, lived experience, and a sustained commitment to advancing equity and student success across California’s public higher education system.
Through their reflections, we are reminded that leadership is not only about strategy and outcomes, but also about relationships, courage, and the willingness to challenge long-standing assumptions. The insights shared here speak to the realities women continue to navigate in higher education, while also offering a vision for what is possible when institutions intentionally create space for connection, belonging, and growth.
From challenging stereotypes about women’s leadership and analytical capacity, to centering on the importance of community and safety for students, these reflections highlight both the progress made and the work that remains. Looking ahead, these leaders envision a CSU system where women are fully valued, leadership is more representative, and policies reflect lived realities. Their insights remind us that advancing equity requires not only listening, but intentional action.
We are grateful to the women who shared their stories and perspectives. Their voices are essential in guiding the continued evolution of the CSU system toward one that is more inclusive, responsive, and equitable for all.
What is a stereotype about women in higher education you would like to challenge?
Ellie: One stereotype I would like to challenge is the idea that women are somehow less analytical or less skilled in data analysis and application. That has not been my experience at all. Women in higher education are deeply analytical, strategic, and highly capable of turning information into action. At the same time, women are often expected to carry a disproportionate share of the work. Both of those assumptions deserve to be challenged.
Duan: Women in higher education, particularly those in leadership roles, are often unfairly stereotyped when they lead with confidence and assertiveness. Their actions may be misinterpreted as emotional or irrational, despite their proven expertise and judgment. Many also face challenges from those who may have been placed in positions without the necessary credentials, creating additional barriers to effective leadership. As a result, women frequently must work significantly harder to be accepted while confronting overt and systemic biases throughout their careers. What is often overlooked is that women have been navigating these obstacles for years, and although the experience can be taxing and emotionally draining, it has also strengthened their resilience and resolve.
Larissa: There is an expectation that women are less dedicated to their careers because many prioritize their families. As a mother of four children (two of whom are students in the CSU!), I can attest from personal experience–and from observing my incredible colleagues–that our commitment to our families actually deepens the intention with which we work.
Can you share about an influential woman, past or present, who has shaped your worldview or professional journey?
Ellie: An influential woman in my life is my daughter. She has always had a strong sense of herself and a willingness to set and hold boundaries. Watching her has taught me how important that is, and it has helped me learn to do the same. She, along with her siblings, also reminds me every day why this work matters: we should be building educational experiences that empower students, inspire them, and encourage them to think creatively and critically as they shape the future.
Duan: The most influential woman in my life and the one who has most profoundly shaped my worldview and professional journey was my mother. As an educator on a military base, she had the privilege of working with young children from across the country and around the world as a first-grade and kindergarten teacher. Many of her students arrived speaking little or no English, yet by the end of the school year they had become fluent, and their families had come to embrace her with deep appreciation.
Growing up, I came to know these families through their food, traditions, and cultures. Their warmth and openness left an impression on a young girl raised in the South. My mother taught me the power of loving people regardless of ethnicity or culture, and her example instilled in me a lifelong commitment to embracing people in all their diversity. This early exposure nurtured my curiosity about the experiences and journeys of others, and a curiosity that, to this day, makes me wish I had majored in cultural anthropology.
Larissa: My two mentors, Dr. Norma Cantú and Dr. Sonia Saldívar-Hull, were my first models for being a Chicana academic. They were relentless in their support of my goals, and were always safe spaces for me to share my dreams and anxieties. They always made sure that I kept my health and spirit top priorities.
What are you hearing from women students in the CSU about their needs?
Ellie: What I hear from women students is that they want to be engaged in meaningful ways. They want help creating space to be together, to learn in community, and to build relationships that support both their academic success and their sense of belonging. They are looking for environments where they feel connected, valued, and able to grow.
Duan: One of the most common challenges I hear from women is the difficulty of balancing their responsibilities, raising children, caring for aging parents, and managing their own well-being. I am grateful that the CSU is doing more to support parenting students and those caring for aging parent, as these dual roles can be overwhelming. Until you are in this situation, it is hard to fully understand how complex it is to carve out time for your own needs. Too often, women navigate these demands on their own simply because they do not know where to seek help. We must be attentive to the needs of all women and encourage them to reach out, lean on one another, and build strong support networks.
Larissa: Women students in the CSU reflect a wide range of identities and experiences, so there is a lot of variety! I often hear from women students that they shoulder many responsibilities for their families–as daughters, siblings, mothers, and aunts–that make it challenging to balance the responsibilities of being students. They need time, flexibility, and recognition of these realities. I also hear them express a desire for mentors that believe in them and can provide them with navigational and career support.
If we were having a conversation about Women’s History Month five years from now, what would you hope has meaningfully changed for women across the CSU system?
Ellie: Five years from now, I would hope that women across the CSU not only feel safe, but are safe. I would hope that safety is reflected in our policies, our practices, and our campus cultures, so that women experience the CSU as a place of respect, belonging, and opportunity. My hope is that women across our system are able to learn, work, and lead with confidence, knowing they are supported, protected, and valued.
Duan: I want women to feel empowered to pursue their dreams regardless of life’s circumstances. I hope they move forward unapologetically whether in their education, careers, or personal goals. I also want women to know that prioritizing their aspirations is not selfish; it is an act of modeling hope and possibility for their children, grandchildren, and all who look up to them. Five years from now, I envision a CSU that continues to be responsive to the needs of all women, especially those returning to higher education after a long hiatus. I see a system that fully embraces women as emerging adult learners whose contributions strengthen their communities, the State of California, and the world.
Larissa: I hope that we will see more diversity among our women leaders, more representation of women in fields where they have been traditionally underrepresented, and more policies and practices that make higher education a safer and more supportive place where women can thrive.