Institutional Benefits of Creating a Community College Leadership Program Cohort

Participants learn special leadership skills that can be applied immediately in the college.
A cohort of aspiring college leaders works collaboratively within the college and models for other staff the value of collaboration.
The interaction in the classes among full and part-time faculty, administrators, and classified staff leads to a better understanding of the various roles each employee plays in the college.
The cohort can become a force for change and transformation by taking on special projects identified by college leaders.
Participants expand and improve the goals of the college by creating programs, projects, internships, surveys, practicums, papers, dissertations, etc. as part of class assignments.
College leaders can identify special issues and problems in the college they would like to see addressed by participants.
The program allows college leaders an opportunity to identify and ensure that the participants will meet the diversity goals of the college.
There are opportunities between cohort participants and other faculty and staff in the college to interact with each other on projects and activities; cohort professors can also be involved in these efforts.
The program allows for trustees and the president to map out steps in succession planning.
The program serves as a visible reminder that college leaders care about the people of the college.
The program reflects and contributes to a college-wide culture of collaboration, learning, service, and planning for the future.
Participants and their institutions are part of a national network of community college leaders and aspiring leaders.

"We are delighted to bring the Community College Leadership Program (CCLP) to Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) as a strategic initiative for leadership development for our district. The contemporary community college curriculum incorporates WCCCD's data and issues across the doctoral curriculum. This is providing significant opportunities to take what is learned in the program and incorporate current insights and projects that are relevant to evolving needs at the district. Through the program, our students are exposed to nationally-known community college chancellors, presidents, and other senior administrators and professors in the community college field who serve as faculty to the program." – Curtis Ivery, Chancellor, Wayne County Community College District, Detroit, MI