Assessing the Managerial and Leadership Ability of Community College Administrative Personnel

Preparation factors common in outstanding community college presidents

“…Community colleges are operating in increasingly challenging and complex environments. Murry and Hammons (1995) noted that community colleges have evolved into "large, complex organizations with hundreds of employees, sprawling physical plants, and multimillion dollar budgets" (p. 207). In 1990, the Institute for Future Studies, Macomb Community College, identified an initial 'Top Ten" list of issues facing America's community colleges (Foreword).…”

“…Outstanding Leaders Make a Difference Roueche, Baker, and Rose (1989) claimed that "leaders make a difference" (p. 17). Murry and Hammons (1995) maintained that both the current and future success of community colleges depends upon the skill of the institution's managers. They stress the importance of having administrators with strong leadership and management ability.…”

“…Noting that American community colleges have evolved into organizations that are similar in many respects to American business corporations, Murry and Hammons (1995) suggested that college administrators would increase their effectiveness by making greater use of established business management techniques. They noted that in both business and college administration, managers perform similar functions of "planning, organizing, controlling, directing or leading, staffing, communicating and decision making" (p. 210).…”

Preparation factors common in outstanding community college presidents in the United States

“…However, use of volunteers is not of significant enough concern to negate the results of the study. (Murray and Hammons, 1995). The many challenges facing community colleges today are obvious: one budget crisis follows another; the demand for education and retraining is greater than ever; student populations are becoming more diverse (Johnson, 1995, p. 7).…”

Background Factors Common among Outstanding Community College Presidents

“…(1996, p. vii). Roueche, Baker, and Rose echoed this idea when they claimed "leaders make a difference" (1989, p. 17), whereas Murry and Hammons (1995) maintained that both the current and future success of community colleges depend on the skill of the institution's leaders.Other authors have suggested that a leadership crisis has developed within the American community college. "In issue after issue of the Chronicle ofHigher Education, we read of another troubled presidency, another leader worn down or driven out, in distress or under fire" (Hahn, 1995, p. 1).…”