Developing Tomorrow's Leaders

Context, Challenges, and Capabilities

By (author) Pamela L. Eddy, Debbie L. Sydow, Richard L. Alfred, Regina L. Garza-Mitchell

Not available to order

Publication date:

22 July 2015

Length of book:

156 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781475811018

The contributions of community colleges to society are well-documented. Yet, today’s community colleges are at a cross road. Decreases in funding support, a push for college completion, attention on developmental course work, and a host of other demands create a dynamic context for community college operations. Who leads these colleges matters as they face these demands and how they lead influences outcomes. Pending leadership retirements provide a prime opportunity for thinking about community college leadership in new ways. Entering this environment are prospective and aspiring leaders who are often not adequately prepared for the complexities of managing in a paradoxical organization. The era of accountability puts a fine point on the need for leaders to pay heed to the policy making process and to requirements dictated by state legislative bodies and accreditation bodies. Foundations and grant funders serve as instigators for changes in community colleges, as well and also support research into ways to link employer needs to college curricular changes. This book argues that neo-leaders are required to lead transformational change for today and tomorrow’s community colleges. No longer can we rely on single leaders atop a hierarchy. Talent throughout the institution must be tapped. The authors argue that networked leadership is needed. For networked leadership, we begin to advance thinking about the role of networks and connections among leaders throughout the college and beyond the college’s walls. This volume outlines underlying values critical for neo-leaders and offers questions leaders at various levels can use to jumpstart the type of courageous conversations needed on campus. The tools presented in this book provide current and aspiring leaders with resources to prepare for successfully leading the way and developing new leaders to shape the future. Our community colleges and their students require nothing less.
The authors’ backgrounds represent experienced community college leadership and higher education faculty with academic credentials in community college leadership. These multiple perspectives add to the richness and strength of the book. . . .The book calls for visionary leaders who are bold, creative, and willing to take risks as community colleges become increasingly more complex in nature. . . .The major strength of the book is the presentation of the past, present, and future in very clear terms. Further, it provides a clear rationale for change that needs to occur due to the shifting environment both within and outside the institution. This book is incredibly bold and forthcoming as a model for a future community college leader. As stated above, this book may make current community college leaders uncomfortable, as it introduces ideas, changes, and processes quite different from what some current leaders may be using today. . . .Overall, this book is a good resource for emerging community college leaders who want to be at the forefront of change as they are gaining the skills and knowledge to prepare themselves to be effective future leaders. This book also provides strategies for current community college leaders who want to inspire transformation in the midst of the rapid growth and change that is happening at their own institutions.