Community College Leaders on Workforce Development

Opinions, Observations, and Future Directions

By (author) William J. Rothwell, Patrick E. Gerity, Vernon L. Carraway

Publication date:

31 January 2017

Length of book:

176 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781475827415

This book has two things going for it that are rarely combined—it is fundamentally purposeful and it is useful. As the authors point out, there is a trilogy of needs confronting any business leader with a change agenda and/or transitioning into a new top role: influence, coalition building, and performance consulting. Of the three, performance consulting has received the least amount of attention in both the public and private-sector businesses. Because the focus on performance consulting rests primarily on the worker and the workplace environment, the authors contend that we must have a picture of how that environment has changed over the years. In this book, visionary leaders of community colleges will present their views about the present challenges and future approaches needed for community colleges to be successful.

Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I: Laying the Foundation
Chapter 1: Common Themes in Community College Workforce Development
Part II: Issues in Community College Workforce Development
Chapter 2: Defining Workforce Development
Chapter 3: The Community College Role in Workforce Development
Chapter 4: The Community College Role in Community Development, Economic
Development, Individual Career Counseling, and Training
Chapter 5: Present and Future Barriers and Challenges Faced by Community Colleges in
Carrying Out Their Roles
Chapter 6: How Technology Is Changing the Face of Education
Chapter 7: The Community College President’s Role in Workforce Development
Chapter 8: The Community College Dean’s Role in Workforce Development
Chapter 9: The Community College Faculty Member’s Role in Workforce Development
Chapter 10: The Role of Community College Workforce Development Leaders and Staff in Workforce Development
Chapter 11: What Community Leaders Can Do to Support Community Colleges
Chapter 12: Trends Affecting the Ability of Community Colleges to Meet Needs of Future
Students
Chapter 13: Conversations with Business Leaders about the Role of Community Colleges
Chapter 14: Other Thoughts
Part III: The International Perspective
Chapter 15: Interview with Weiping Shi
Chapter 16: Interview with Hans-Peter Mengele
Part IV: The Future
Chapter 17: Observations on Community Colleges
Chapter 18: Final Words
About the Authors
About the Interviewees
Index

Given the large number of community college presidents, chancellors and/or CEOs that will transition from their roles in the coming years, we have a massive opportunity to inform the priorities of these new leaders. Economic resiliency, and the workforce development strategies successful colleges have used to build robust economies warrants attention. This book shines light on many community college voices, and is to be commended for elevating the discussion.