Long-term Community College Presidents

ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges
EDINFO Number 97-11

Only 20 percent of college presidents remain at an institution 10 years or longer; the average tenure is only 6.8 years. A study of long-term community college presidents identified factors that enable them to maintain their effectiveness over time. A successful long-term president often:

Acquires strong support from the board of trustees;
Possesses and articulates a clear vision of the institution and what it can accomplish;
Uses long-range and strategic planning to better achieve the mission of the institution;
Delegates institutional responsibilities and relies heavily on staff for assistance;
Exhibits a strong entrepreneurial spirit and encourages the same in faculty and staff;
Supports innovation.

This information was reported in ED 361 044, "How Long Term Presidents Lead." A full-text copy of this document may be obtained from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service, 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110, Springfield, VA 22153-2852; 800/443-ERIC.

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Updated 10/10/01
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