| Community colleges in the United States have a rich history and have evolved into valuable institutions in America's higher education system. However, today's community colleges are facing unprecedented turnover among presidents, senior leaders, and faculty, while at the same time, facing monumental challenges that threaten to erode the community college commitment to open access and community responsiveness. As a result, community colleges, universities, and professional associations are working to ensure there is an adequate pipeline of leaders with the necessary skill sets to tackle these challenges and to lead community colleges in the 21st century. To achieve this goal, the American Association of Community Colleges, as part of their Leading Forward initiative and in collaboration with over 100 community college experts, have developed and approved six competencies of community college leaders. The purpose of the study was to determine if differences exist in the level of importance placed on the AACC six competencies among administrative position titles and college functional areas, and if demographic characteristics of leaders add independent information in predicting the level of importance placed on the AACC competencies. The results of this research provides a greater understanding of the competencies and can be used to assist organizations in developing and enhancing professional development offerings to more effectively target the education and training needs of the next generation of leaders. |
