The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) reports over 900 presidential transitions in the last five years. It also estimated that nearly 50% of presidents will retire in the next 5 years. The flood of imminent retirements of sitting presidents and other senior leaders from community colleges is widely known. As community colleges are facing unprecedented challenges with the exodus of successful presidents, Generation X leaders are stepping in to fulfill the vacant leadership positions. This book is about them—their views on the community college presidency, new challenges facing community colleges, balancing work and other obligations, tapping future rock star leaders, and what every president needs to know that was not taught in graduate school.

Higher education has changed significantly over the past 50 years, and the individuals who provide leadership for these institutions has similarly changed. The pathway to the college presidency, once the domain of academic administration, has diversified as an increasing number of development officers, student affairs and enrollment management professionals, and even politicians have become common in the role. It is important to understand who the presidents are in the current environment and the challenges they face. Challenges such as dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment shortfalls, Title IX, and athletic scandals have risen to the forefront and have contributed to the issues and role of college and university leadership. The Handbook of Research on the Changing Role of College and University Leadership provides important research on the topic of college and university leadership, especially focusing on the changing role of the college president. The chapters discuss college leadership as it is now and how it will evolve into the future. Topics included are the role of the president at various types of universities, their involvement within university functions and activities, and the duties they must carry out and challenges they face. This book is ideal for professionals and researchers working in higher education, including faculty members who specialize in education, public administration, the social sciences, and management, along with teachers, administrators, teacher educators, practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students who are interested in college and university leadership and how this role is transforming.

This practical resource helps aspiring leaders demystify the challenges associated with becoming a community college president. Building on existing scholarship and research related to historical origins of the community college, this book explores the role and function of the presidency, discusses existing demographics and the importance of meeting the needs of a diverse student population, and unpacks the required competencies and leadership challenges related to becoming a community college president. Including real voices from award-winning and current presidents as well as a step-by-step approach to attaining the position, this is an important resource that speaks to the needs of today and tomorrows’ community college leaders.

Incoming college presidents are entering the job at a time when the role is increasingly challenging as they are asked to do more, decide and act faster, create and maintain more relationships, and demonstrate successes while under an unrelenting microscope. The range of leadership skills and competencies surrounding the current college presidency requires well-prepared and well-informed college presidential aspirants. Research shows there is no formal training framework available in colleges to prepare successful candidates for the presidency. Consequently, most incoming college presidents have lamented being ill-prepared for the role. The Evolving College Presidency: Emerging Trends, Issues, and Challenges provides guidance and career trajectory advice for aspiring college presidents as they prepare to take on this challenging and dynamic role. The text also explores the emerging trends, issues, and challenges of the college presidency including issues such as diversity and inclusion, funding and fundraising, and political issues. Covering a range of critical topics such as student affairs and community relationships, this reference work is vital for higher education professionals, administrators, researchers, practitioners, scholars, academicians, instructors, and students.

The mission of the International Journal of Educational Reform (IJER) is to keep readers up-to-date with worldwide developments in education reform by providing scholarly information and practical analysis from recognized international authorities.

John Edward Roueche is the most productive and the most recognized community college leader in the history of the community college movement. He is a person with remarkable vision and over the decades has demonstrated an uncanny ability to scan the horizon of higher education, identify emerging issues—or issues that should emerge—and place them squarely before leaders and practitioners in the field. Throughout his career, Roueche has powerfully led the community college field by recognizing, often long before others do, areas of potential opportunity or impending concern—and addressing them through prolific research, writing, and speaking. This book explores the influence of John on individual lives and community colleges across the United States. Through stories and research of his years in the community college vineyard, the book follows the professional chronology of John’s life from childhood to today. While segments of his life history are included in the chapters, this is not a biography. This work is a collection of voices on the impact of John from many perspectives. Themes run throughout the chapters that paint a picture of this man. Hopefully you, the reader, will smile, laugh, reflect, and enjoy the life and influence of John Edward Roueche.