Mid-level leaders are caught in the middle of their organizational hierarchy, reporting to senior administrators while also leading or managing entry-level staff (Bodine Al-Sharif, Garcia, & McNaughtan, 2021). They are often asked to collaborate, build relationships, and share information with college and community stakeholders and in the…

This study explored community college middle managers' experiences around voice and silence, empowerment, and engagement. Middle managers play a critical role in an organization's ability to accomplish its strategic goals (Dopson, 1992; Tengblad & Vie, 2012), and they are at the center of the challenges in higher education (Pepper & Giles,…

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the contemporary leadership issues and opportunities among those who lead administrative affairs functions from the middle of the organization. Included is a summary of the general challenges of administrative leadership, followed by specific considerations of the paradoxical environment at community…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the perception of community college women leaders on what formal and informal institutional structures exist within community colleges and how these structures support women aspiring to undertake leadership positions in community colleges in the Midwest. The theoretical foundation…

Objective/Research Question: Research indicates that work-life integration is linked with career satisfaction for women administrators in higher education. This study focused on midlevel women leaders who are an essential component of higher education organizations and asked the question: how do mid-level women leaders in rural community colleges…

Leadership theories and their application to various leadership positions is a heavily researched field. Specific research has been conducted examining leadership theories of both middle level and senior level leaders individually (Amey et al., 2020; Eddy and Mitchell, 2017; Hernandez and Hernandez, 2014. However, an examination of leadership…

Leading community college change initiatives from midlevel leadership positions is challenging. This chapter reviews the experiences of two midlevel leaders who led change on their campuses. They describe the work of their leadership efforts, including their relationships with faculty, administrators, students, and the challenges, rewards, and…

The primary goal of this evaluation report is to effectively communicate the value and impact of the Leading from the Middle (LFM) Academy to a diverse set of community college stakeholders and to provide valuable insights into the program's effectiveness. This report presents the findings from the 2021-2022 LFM Academy pilot evaluation, assessing…

This chapter provides a portrait of midlevel Latina leadership in community colleges, focusing on the intersections of gender and race. The chapter will also examine the challenges and barriers Latinas face as midlevel leaders, the role of mentors, as well as provide recommendations for community colleges to help increase the numbers of Latina…

This phenomenological exploratory study examined how community college advising coordinators described their roles as middle managers. This study was conducted in an effort to address the lack of empirical research regarding the perceptions community college advising coordinators have of the institutional and administrative challenges confronting…

Department chairs serve a vital function at community colleges. They are middle managers, mid-level leaders, and faculty members. They serve a unique position within the organization because they interact with nearly every unit: academics affairs, student affairs, senior administrators and students. At a time when professional organizations are…

This qualitative study focuses on Director and Dean experiences during equity-focused program and initiative (PI) implementations at California Community Colleges (CCCs), as these leaders face the challenge of managing faculty, staff, and budgets, while also working toward the objectives of senior leadership. Despite a reliance on middle-level…

American higher education is in crisis. Persistent opportunity and achievement gaps limit college access and completion for low-income and underrepresented students. Fewer students are completing their studies on-time, thus prolonging their entry into better paying, career-focused employment. Meanwhile, the cost of attending college and related…

Academic mid-level managers, despite their work history and education, are not always prepared for the duties and responsibilities of their current positions or for senior-level management positions. The purpose of this study was to examine how academic mid-level managers perceived intentionally-designed professional development at a suburban…

In this chapter, the authors highlight the importance of student affairs in community colleges, define the role and responsibilities of midlevel leaders, and highlight their potential impact with respect to student success at community colleges. Best practices for supporting student affairs midlevel leaders and recommendations are offered.