COMMUNITY-COLLEGE LEADERSHIP: AN ART TO BE PRACTICED: 2010 AND BEYOND

ABSTRACT Current research indicates that a mass exodus of community-college leadership will occur within the next few years. When combining this research with additional research indicating that the number of degrees conferred by universities in community-college administration decreased 78% between 1983 and 1997, the challenge of meeting the needs of community-college leaders for 2010 becomes evident. Additionally, the old assumptions made about leadership cannot be held sacrosanct in a technological, fast-paced environment, with a growing ethnically diverse population. The questions that must be asked by today's leaders are these: 1) What skills are needed by community college leaders in 2010 and beyond? 2) How are these skills developed? This article suggests 9 essential skills: 1) learning from the past while embracing the future, 2) enriching the inward journey, 3) leading from the center: values, 4) making connections: vision, 5) looking broadly for talent, 6) providing continual leadership opportun...