Although much has been written about preparing community college leaders, little is known about how presidents believe they might have better prepared for the role. Using presidential narratives from a national study, this article describes how presidents perceive gaps in prior preparation and offers recommendations to support the professional…

Drawing on a survey of chief academic officers at 347 community colleges nationwide, this study examined the impact of institutional type (rural, suburban, urban) on reliance on and demand for adjunct faculty members. Findings indicated that rural institutions rely less on adjuncts, whereas both rural and urban institutions report high levels of…

This study examined the nature and degree of organizational change that occurs when community colleges offer their own baccalaureate degree programs. Utilizing qualitative research methodology, we investigated how executive administrators at two Florida colleges managed this momentous change process and how this transformation has affected their…

This article reports on a qualitative, interpretive case study examining how trustees, administrators, faculty members, and staff members at a rural community college understand their institution's accountability environment. Data analysis and interpretation established that participants conceptualized institutional accountability as dialogic,…

Although the authority for hiring a community college president resides with the board of trustees, few studies have directly explored trustees' perceptions of the desired qualifications for presidents. Using a Delphi process, this study identified the characteristics, competencies, and professional experiences that Illinois community college…

Critical discourse analysis was employed to examine the narratives collected from 40 community college administrators who were asked to recount their experience in an event, activity, or decision that challenged their values. The analysis yielded three findings. First, contradictions emerged between the administrators' educational and professional…

An in-depth case study examined faculty and administrator perceptions of how online education affected the organizational culture of a large, suburban community college. Findings suggest that in addition to structural and procedural changes, online education had an impact on faculty and administrator roles, teaching and learning (in both online…

Discusses results of a 2001 survey of 128 community college instructional leaders, in which respondents identified skills necessary to effective community college leadership. Reports that communication skills were noted as most important, especially the ability to listen and offer feedback; leadership skills, such as developing a vision, were also…

This study examined the managerial roles of the community college Chief Academic Officer (CAO). Findings indicated that (1) CAOs placed the most importance on the roles of leader, liaison, and disseminator; (2) managers with more years of experience tended to emphasize the liaison role most; and (3) CAOs over 40 placed the most importance on…

Reports the results of a professional development needs survey of the technical and community college presidents in three states: North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Findings demonstrate remarkable similarities in the concerns, needs, and limitations of presidents and include significant implications for technical and community college…

Explores advisors' perspectives on the characteristics of late-admits: how they differ from students who apply earlier, the forces that influence their late decision to attend college, and whether late-admits possess attributes that would put them at risk for attrition. Reveals distinct differences between traditional age (18 to 20) and…

Presents and analyzes qualitative data collected during interviews with 30 senior female administrators working at community colleges in the Midwest. Reveals three patterns of leadership identity for women: adaptation, reconciliation, and resistance. Discusses each category in respect to leadership identity, communication style, and gender issues.…

Presents the results of a 1991 survey of 118 community college presidents, which elicited details about how their colleges were organized five years prior to and in 1991, as well as their preferred organization structures for the future. Reports variations in structure by three college size categories (enrollment levels) and indicates significant…

Provides findings from survey of associate degree-granting institutions, conducted to determine (1) extent to which effectiveness components were implemented; (2) importance placed on components; and (3) discrepancies between them. Reports implementation did not vary according to institutional size or respondents' characteristics and mean…

Describes a survey designed to elicit from a national sample of community college chief academic officers their perceptions of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to be an effective academic administrator, currently and in the future. Appendix includes a copy of the survey. (12 citations) (YKH)