Developing Tomorrow's Leaders: Cultivating Talent in Community Colleges

• In Event: Institutional Differentiation: Leadership at Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Community Colleges

Abstract

Calls for a crisis in community college leadership have been replete over the past 15 years. Now, the impact of the changing of the guard in leadership positions is gaining momentum. Coupled with the exodus of long-serving leaders is a reticence among mid-level leaders in seeking advancement. This paper reports on interviews with cabinet level leaders regarding what type of leaders community colleges require. Three key findings emerged in this research. First, networked leadership is required in leading the complex community college enterprise. Second, a number of specific skills were identified as critical. Finally, leaders must be ready to engage with organizational change, which requires questioning of assumptions of how current community colleges are structured and operated.

Authors

• Pamela L. Eddy, College of William and Mary

• Regina L. Garza Mitchell, Western Michigan University