PREPARING COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERS: THE AACC CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP & DOCTORAL EDUCATION

Community colleges in the United States face shortages of leaders prepared to assume administrative positions in the 21st century. To respond to this shortage, graduate programs are emerging with a specific emphasis on community college leadership; other graduate programs offer broader curricula focused on educational leadership, policy, or higher education. The community college environment is distinct from other types of higher education and requires specific leadership skills. The American Association of Community Colleges has identified six core competencies for essential leadership in today's community college. Using the core competencies as a framework, this study analyzed California community college leaders' perceptions of these competencies, including those which they believe can be acquired and developed through doctoral studies. Respondents also identified additional competencies that could be addressed in doctoral programs.