This chapter explores the leadership qualities participants identified as pivotal to the development of civic engagement at a large, suburban community college.

The anticipated increase in chief executive officer retirements along with an identified shortage of qualified candidates to fill these vacancies has created a high level of concern throughout the community college system. To address this situation, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) board of directors approved the "Competencies…

To better understand the influence of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) competencies on practice since their formation, six community college chief executive officers (five presidents and one chancellor) were asked to reflect upon the enduring relevance of the competencies. They were also asked specifically how they acquired…

This chapter explores the relationship between leadership style, ethical orientation, and the AACC competencies. A glimpse of the competencies in practices is provided through the results of interviews with thirteen community college presidents. The findings presented here are culled from a larger study of presidential decision making during…

In summer 2003, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation awarded a grant to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to address the national need for community college leaders. An extensive data-gathering process, part of the AACC Leading Forward project, resulted in the creation of the AACC competencies for community college leaders. This…

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has been a constant advocate for greater diversity in community college leadership. Along with other work to encourage diversity in leadership, the AACC brought together community college practitioners and scholars to develop a competency framework for community college leadership,…

The overall mission of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is "Building a Nation of Learners by Advancing America's Community Colleges." A significant component of this mission statement involves the development of leadership. The AACC believes that leadership can be learned and is committed to supporting and growing leaders. In…

Leadership, as it is practiced today in community colleges, has taken three brilliant ideas to excess and made them into guiding ideologies. The first is "growth," a means for gauging organizational legitimacy and success that has eclipsed other means. The second is "complexity," which has gained acceptance as a structural necessity for managing…

Although many of the issues facing community colleges are similar, rural community colleges face additional leadership challenges due to limited resources, geographic isolation, and static economies. This chapter focuses on the impact of location on the interpretation and development of the leadership competencies. The chapter concludes with…

The end of the twentieth century heralded a period of anxiety among community college trustees and leaders over impending shortfalls in leadership positions. The tremendous growth of public community colleges in the 1960s made them particularly susceptible to the retirement of aging baby boomers. To assist in developing and selecting professionals…

Community colleges are constantly challenged to find new ways to meet the needs of multiple constituents. One strategy becoming more popular in addressing these pressing needs is partnerships and other forms of organizational collaboration, consortia, and networks. Partnerships can allow for resource sharing, creation of joint educational…

Describes a series of projects conducted in the Dallas County Community College District at various stages of a major curriculum review process. Discusses guiding principles that emerged from the process, relating to institutional autonomy, faculty and staff commitment, community support, and high institutional priority for the effort. (AYC)

Argues that effective writing skills are essential for future community college leaders. Describes writing skills that should be expected of graduates of higher education programs, including the ability to anticipate audience's needs and employ appropriate grammar and syntax. Argues that professors of higher education should set and enforce clear…