This discussion of the changing nature of leadership in community colleges focuses on the qualities of college presidents, the environment in which the college president operates, the relationship between the president and the college board, and ways of strengthening the presidency. First, the benefits and liabilities of the job of college president are discussed in the context of the high turn-over rate among presidents and declining interest in the job among other college administrators. Then, the relationship between the college board and president is discussed, with focus on the hiring process, the development of the president's employment contract, and problems that may occur during the transition to a new president. The next section examines the environment in which the president operates, looking at external and internal forces affecting the presidency. The paper then addresses three trends that have influenced the role of the president over the past 20 years; i.e., the changing role of spouses, the emergence of multicampus systems, and collective bargaining. The following sections discuss the respective responsibilities of the college board and the president, and the new skills and qualities that are required of today's chief administrators. Finally, a humorous account of the conflicting expectations of college presidents is presented. (HB)