Increased rates of student success and persistence have been positively linked to community colleges with student-centered cultures. A student-centered culture is one in which policies and practices promote a consistent message of concern and respect while expecting high standards of academic accomplishment. Developing a student-centered culture can be a leadership challenge. Leaders should be aware of various styles of leadership and the effectiveness of each in different situations. While it is imperative to recognize the importance of the day-to-day building of a common commitment, it is equally important to recognize the significance of a traumatic event that can serve as a tipping point in the transformational process. A case study is presented in which a natural disaster was seized upon as an opportunity to cultivate a student-centered culture that promotes student learning and success.