'Underpaid' and 'Undervalued': The Experiences of Women Administrative Assistants in US Higher Education

Administrative assistants within the higher education system are a vital part of universities, including supporting students, faculty, and administrators. Although administrative assistants are essential to a college or university, they often lack recognition and salary support for their contributions. This applied qualitative study seeks to uncover some of the most unseen staff in higher education. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the experiences of women administrative assistants within higher education in the United States. The data of this study reveal three findings: (1) administrative assistants encounter challenges in losing their capacity to speak up; (2) receive low pay despite the increasing responsibilities placed upon them; and (3) maneuver complicated demands from faculty members. To improve how administrative assistants are supported and recognized, recommendations are provided for higher education institution leadership.