The Community College Presidency Demystified: Creating a Pipeline of Latino Leaders

Abstract

Community colleges are designed to serve populations largely drawn from a local base. In an increasing number of cases, the student populations are diverse, while both the administration and faculty, particularly in positions of leadership, are overwhelmingly white. Because of changing demographics, many community colleges serve predominately Latino communities. The present article describes the impact of a national culturally tailored leadership development program for Latino administrators in community colleges. Using data from extensive, semi-structured interviews, this qualitative research study demonstrates that participants in the leadership fellows program found their experience empowering and transformational. Research findings indicate that as a direct result of their participation in a culturally relevant leadership program, participants felt increased confidence and sought out executive community college leadership positions. Additionally, participants benefitted from a national network of peers and mentors.