Selection of community colleges presidents: exploring Board Members' understanding

Abstract

This qualitative study explored 14 community college CC board members' understanding about (1) their institutions utilizing organizational identity theory and (2) critical elements of the match between their understanding of the CC and the desired characteristics of the selected presidential candidate. Documents including mission and vision statements and presidential position descriptions from 48 rural and urban CCs across the nation were compared with board members' interview data. CC documents emphasized presidential experience. Board members also discussed experiences; however communication skills and the ability to develop relationships were critical elements in the presidents' selection. Rural interviewees spoke about using their CCs as an institution to preserve the community and culture. Urban interviewees desired their CCs to be an institution of relevance.