This paper assesses the changes in positions of females over a 5-year period in academic administrative hierarchy, comparing changes between internal and external hirings, between public and private institutions, and identifying any emerging career pathways for women. Data were collected on higher education administrative positions listed in every other issue in the Gazette section of the 1986 and the 1991 "Chronicles of Higher Education." It was found that over the last 5 years, numbers of female appointments have increased, but the hiring institution has shifted from public in 1986 to private in 1991. Additionally, schools are now more likely to hire from within the system than they were in 1986. In both years, women predominated at the directorship level, a supportive staff position outside the policy-making academic hierarchy. The paper also reports that private colleges and universities have more flexible hierarchies, are more receptive to female candidates, and are more willing to consider competence over credentials. It is noted that as long as men dominate the administrative hierarchy, time-in-line traditions will dominate over more flexible promotion alternatives. Also, public institutions need to institute alternative career paths for women. Contains 31 references. (GLR)