This article provides a succinct synthesis of research about community college presidents who have experienced a crisis or dilemma as leaders and focuses on issues surrounding a sudden and unplanned departure. In addition to describing themes, the authors present implications for leaders and potential areas for future research.

This interview study examined seven community college presidents' experiences of facing a sudden and unplanned stepping aside (e.g., unexpectedly needing to resign or termination) in order to understand the meaning of the transition experience for leaders. It provides an up-close view of presidents' perspectives on leaving the college. Despite the…

A comprehensive, four-phase approach was used to test the feasibility of an online, tailored health program for community college students. The prototype was perceived by students as relevant and useful; practitioners were favorable toward offering the program as part of orientation and in a credit-course format. (Contains 4 tables and 2 figures.)

Community college presidential leadership is more taxing than ever; leaders face unprecedented economic declines, increased expectations, and the immediacy of media reporting. The smallest of rumors can escalate into campaigns for good or ill within minutes via the Internet, social media (such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook) and electronic news.…

Prediction models using graduation rate as the performance indicator were obtained for community colleges in California, Florida, and Michigan. The results of this study indicated that institutional graduation rate could be predicted effectively from an aggregate of student and institutional characteristics. A performance measure was computed, the…

Focused researchers have filled the important role of documenting the evolution of community colleges, which have changing missions and diverse programs, designed around their communities. This article reflects on key works of Council for the Study of Community College (CSCC) members in thematic areas of access, student success, faculty…

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has identified a set of six competencies essential to effective community college leadership. Studies have been conducted to test the validity and usefulness of these competencies in such ways as by surveying community college professionals and to examine the effectiveness of graduate programs…

In 2008 Florida's Senate Bill No. 1716 was enacted, which replaced the Florida Community College System with the Florida College System and presented 9 out of the 28 community colleges with the option to transition to state colleges. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of Senate Bill No. 1716 and, in doing so, discuss the…

Community colleges in a number of states are expanding their roles to include baccalaureate degree programming. While the lower cost for delivery of these programs is often a motivating reason for community college baccalaureate, other factors also make these programs attractive alternatives. This article reports the findings of a case study that…

This article will address important puzzles about community colleges and their roles with baccalaureate delivery. To that purpose, the article is organized into five key sections. First, the rationale underlying the community college baccalaureate (CCB) and key policy issues will be described. Second, a glossary of terms will be offered to provide…

The Council for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC) celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008. This article summarizes the establishment of the Council and sets it in the context of the development of the community college movement. Highlights of research conducted by CSCC members to address contemporary issues facing community colleges are…

University graduate-level programs are striving to address needs for community college leaders. One way they are doing this is by strengthening their graduate programs with relevant community college courses. Increasingly, however, community college presidents are being invited to join universities in professorial roles. These new graduate faculty…

Argues that community college student health services are pertinent to student success, and that a college committed to student success is one that is also committed to student health. Discusses policy agenda for community college health programs in the context of leadership policy issues and individual college and consortia issues. (Contains 13…

Discusses possible solutions to the shortage across the nation of certified public school teachers, focusing on the community college role in meeting this critical need. Reports on and analyzes findings of a 2002 survey of state community college directors. Presents four programmatic models. Contains 21 references and research instrument. (NB)

Argues that by skillful leading and investment in professional development programs, community college leaders can facilitate the successful transformation of campuses into centers of technology-based learning. States that distance education is in line with the community college mission of access and equity, and hence must be incorporated.…