Dive Brief:
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Inside Higher Ed reports that community colleges are in a state of “flux," even as national attention shifts to the two-year sector thanks largely to President Barack Obama’s free community college proposal.
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The publication cites a large number of presidents fired or resigning recently, citing financial mismanagement and shaky relationships with board members and students among the most common reasons for the increased instability.
- In addition to high turnover, a lack of prospective leaders in the pipeline has exacerbated the leadership problems on many of the two-year campuses.
Dive Insight:
These challenges are not unique to the two-year sector. As community colleges are increasingly recognized as a key part of the nation’s higher education fabric, the additional attention on the sector has brought with it a brighter light shone on some of its challenges.
Some have suggested increased training for trustees to communicate expectations to the president and better managing “rogue” board members. As is the case with four-year institutions, the involvement of board members can make or break a presidency, and increasing professional development opportunities for both presidents and trustees is key.