By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.
Leaders are in demand at community colleges across the nation. A study by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) found that 75 percent of survey respondents anticipated retiring within 10 years, and that colleges also could expect significant turnover among senior administrators and faculty.
While progress and innovation are central themes at Cochise College, AACC says that “institutional transformation cannot take place without the development and continual improvement of a college’s leadership.” Recognizing a need for “grow-your-own” programs, AACC developed competencies for community college leadership.
When I joined Cochise College over seven years ago, I was aware that the college anticipated a significant number of retirements in coming years. Retiring employees leave a void, and not only would Cochise College need people willing to pick up the reins, it also needed to provide those individuals with as much information and mentoring as possible to help them do so. According to AACC, “There needs to be deliberate preparation in order to produce leaders with the right competencies, particularly competencies in risk taking and change management.”
Over the course of three days in July, Cochise College hosted a President’s Leadership Academy. Twenty-seven faculty and staff representing a variety of disciplines and departments participated in sessions on defining leadership; communication styles; governance, financial and political topics; and learning from others. Participants also heard from current and former presidents of both rural and urban community colleges. The academy was facilitated by leadership consultant and long-time educator and administrator Dr. Pamila Fisher, who, among other things, helps match colleges and presidents.
Participants learned about each other, considered their personal goals, heard about the successes and challenges of other community college leaders, and evaluated their level of comfort with the concept of leadership. Group sharing led not only to a greater sense of understanding, but also helped build a team of individuals who can turn to each other for advice and greater perspective.
I’m proud that Cochise College chose to make this investment in its future, and the college is fortunate to have leaders at all levels who desire to move the institution forward and improve student success. I can’t say all of the participants will choose to stay with Cochise College forever, as some may choose to pursue their goals elsewhere. In order to help meet demand, the college has, and will continue to provide, training that helps leaders respond to the complex issues it faces in fulfilling the needs of students and employers.
J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.