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…

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)

Describes Peter Senge's learning organization model for creating effective organizational structures and its applicability to leadership in higher education institutions. By examining Senge's views on the ideal leader, the author concludes that the model disregards two important aspects of educational leadership: political adeptness and a strong…

Describes leader behaviors that create a constrained and negative institutional climate, illustrating those behaviors with detailed scenarios. Urges leaders to maintain formal and informal communication channels to monitor how their behavior is perceived, and to use this information to develop positive leadership behaviors that can change…

Examines the leadership perspective of three community college board chairs that were examined in a three part study using qualitative data. Themes of facilitation, communication, information, participation, expectation, and collaboration emerged from the data. Author summarizes the chair's perspective and offers a guide to board chair leadership.…

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…

Identifies problems that will face community college leaders in the mid-1990s (e.g., social and economic stratification, poorly prepared students, and questions about institutional mission and role). Considers the consequences of efforts to implement a comprehensive mission. Speculates on the character of the new generation of colleges and their…

Examines the roles and competencies of community college chief executive officers (CEO's). Discusses aspects of leadership and followership, and leader-follower interchange. Urges CEO's to assess themselves as leaders, identify and provide for the training of future leaders through planned mentoring and professional development. (DMM)

Presents four case studies of the effects of changing chief executive officers (CEOs) on community colleges' effectiveness, culture, and structure, seeking to determine whether CEO succession phenomena in other contexts might generalize to community colleges and relate to governing boards' actions in the presidential selection process. (Contains…

Drawing from interviews conducted with 10 successful community college presidents, discusses the leadership qualities needed by future presidents, focusing on institutional vision and revitalization, ethical leadership, institutional empowerment and transformation, political leadership, and institutional conceptualization and survival. (DMM)

Describes Delphi study which identified the skills and characteristics needed by community college presidents of the future. Top ranked competencies were delegation, personnel selection, and decision making as leadership skills; motivation, use of power, and entrepreneurship as group-related skills; and judgment, commitment, and integrity as…

Discusses the use of the community college president's image (e.g., behavior, dress, and mannerisms) to enhance leadership in times of limited resources and declining enrollments. Describes the qualities of trust, good judgement, and expertise as keys to an image that effectively involves followers and constituents in implementing presidential…

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.…

Identifies nine factors from the literature that contribute to the development of exemplary community college presidents. These factors were used in developing a survey instrument, which was completed by 718 community college presidents. Classifies respondents as normative or outstanding while comparing responses from both groups to create a…