Drawing from interviews and survey data related to career and lifestyles, leadership, and spouses, this book explores the community college presidency. Chapter 1 provides a brief overview of the characteristics and roles of those currently occupying the position. The socioeconomic and family backgrounds of today's community college presidents are discussed in chapter 2, while chapter 3 explores various paths taken by presidents to their current positions. In chapter 4, the roles and responsibilities of the president are presented. Chapter 5 defines and clarifies the president's role in governance, while chapter 6 looks at the satisfactions, successes, and failures of the community college presidency. After chapter 7 examines stress and burnout, chapter 8 explores the role of the community college president's spouse. This chapter also includes "Being There: One Spouse's Perspective," an essay by Peggy A. Vaughan. Chapter 9 delineates the leadership qualities, personal attributes, and abilities required of a successful president. Tenure in office, professional activities, and post-presidential careers are discussed in chapter 10. The final chapter provides a brief postscript concerning the characteristics and attitudes of community college presidents. A bibliography is included. (MPH)