A Portrait of Community College Presidents

Ed Info No. 2003-07
October 2003
ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges

In 2001, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) administered the Career and Lifestyle Survey (CLS) to 936 presidents of public community colleges across America. Seventy-one percent, or 661 presidents, responded to the survey. Highlighted here are selected findings as well as comparisons of 2001 survey results with data from previous surveys (the CLS was conducted in 1984, 1991, and 1996).

2001 Findings:

Seventy-nine percent of community college presidents plan to retire within ten years.

The vast majority (95 percent) of responding presidents serve on the board of a community-based or nonprofit organization.

Almost 86 percent of presidents are White/Caucasian. Just over six percent are African American, and 5.5 percent are Hispanic. Together, just 2.4 percent of presidents identify as Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American, or Other.

Approximately 88 percent of community college presidents hold the doctorate as their highest degree. Seventy-two percent of doctoral holders received their degree in the field of education.

Fifty-five percent of presidents served in academic administration prior to their first presidency.

Responding presidents spend 56.3 percent of their time performing administrative tasks, attending meetings, and in informal interactions. They spend an additional 31 percent of their time participating in community, fundraising, or legislative activities.

Comparisons of 2001 and Previous Findings:

The percentage of female community college presidents increased from 11 percent in 1991 to 28 percent in 2001.

While the percentage of minority presidents increased from 11 to 14 percent between 1991 and 1996, there has been no change in the last 7 years.

This information was reported in ED466261, "The Community College Presidency, 2001. AACC Research Brief" by Iris M. Weisman and George B. Vaughan. A full-text copy of this document may be obtained by contacting ERIC Document Reproduction Services (EDRS), 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110, Springfield, VA 22153-2852; or by calling (800) 443-ERIC. This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education under contract number ED-99-CO-0010. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. ERIC EdInfos are in the public domain and may be freely reproduced.

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