Succession Planning
Succession Planning for the Future
The editor provides an overview of this issue, which focuses on succession planning, whether it is for the next set of leaders at a college, a new crop of entry-level students at our colleges, or educational master planning. These diverse topics are connected and accompanied by additional article of interest. The staff development section provides processional development opportunities, and the book section contains two reviews of recent works. Thank you to our sponsor, Keenan and Associates, for stepping up again to support the iJournal.
By Edward J. Shenk, Ed.D.
The Uncounted Costs of Apathy--Re-Engaging Community College Employees
Engaged employees tend to be more content in their work, and therefore provide better performance on the job. Unfortunately, one factor that contributes the most to budget drain is overlooked: employees who are simply indifferent to their jobs, employers and quality of work. They are apathetic. Yet, when community colleges look at preventing losses to their budget, management often turns first to preventing theft and preserving physical assets. They should also be looking at the impact of this work style or lack of one. The author outlines how this performance impacts the college and ways to address it.
By Kathy Espinoza
Building Internal Capacity: The Academy for Collegiate Excellence
Current research reveals the need for community colleges to prepare for impending leadership shortages. Many institutions are looking for ways to implement succession planning and to develop other creative methods for grooming their rising stars in preparation to step into these administrative roles. The Academy for Collegiate Excellence is one way that Collin College and the Collin County Community College District are responding to this need.
By Mary McRae, Ph.D. and Roberta Jackson
Leadership Succession Planning: A Personal Perspective
This article, which builds on Dr. Thelma Scott-Skillman's earlier article (Succession Planning: A Must for Colleges and Universities!, Spring 2007), supports the call for leadership succession planning and illustrates how personal relationships are at the heart of individual leadership development efforts. Via personal narrative the author describes common themes of mentoring she received throughout her career in the California community colleges.
By Delores E. McNair, Ed.D.
How Will You Know When You Get There?
Although planning may seem like just another activity getting in the way of our "regular work," the author stresses the importance of planning now for the future of colleges educational programs and services in order to be prepared to serve future students and residents of districts' communities. As part of a comprehensive planning process, a data-based Educational Master Plan (EMP) should be developed to serve as a guide for future facilities planning. She also points out other important ways in which an EMP can benefit colleges.
By Grace N. Mitchell, Ed.D.
Other Articles
American Idol Contest Drives California Community College Financial Aid Awareness
For the last three years, the California Community Colleges "I Can Afford College" statewide financial aid awareness campaign has been working hard to educate the public about the various types of financial aid available year-round, which can help pay for a college education. The "I Can Afford College" campaign launches "Live Your Dream" promotion. Ryan Seacrest joins campaign to help spread the word.
By Bobby Pena
Making The Campus Completely Tobacco-Free
The author describes the process his community college went through to implement a completely tobacco-free campus policy in 2003; its continued success and the methods used to help other institutions consider, develop and implement similar policies.
By Ty Patterson
Book Reviews
Book Review: Student and Academic Affairs Collaboration: The Divine Comity, Edited by James Cook and Christopher Lewis
As colleges and universities continue to better understand the education of our students, collaborations between student affairs and academic affairs are crucial. The book, "Student and Academic Affairs Collaboration: The Divine Comity," showcases the work of fifteen authors who discuss the collaboration in higher education and offer practical advice on its uses.
Reviewed by Jeff Meece
The Primer: Student Development at El Camino College
For the past several years, the college community has explored approaches that would promote an integration of professional talents that would in turn advance the students experience at El Camino College, Torrance, California. The Primer is a result of these discussions. The Primer includes a broad range of articles that are written with the belief that student development is the common task of all professional employees in the ECC District. During the 2006-2007 academic year, 23 El Camino Community College (ECC) professionals wrote articles regarding their view of "student development." The articles reflect the perspectives of a variety of disciplines and program leaders.
Reviewed by John T. Baker, Ed.D.
Staff Development Calendar
Staff Development Opportunities, 2007-2008
Overview of upcoming student services staff development opportunities, 2007-2008.
End Note
Ready Or Not, Here They Come!
The Los Rios Community College District, the second largest community college district in California, is experiencing unprecedented growth. The enrollment at Cosumnes River College, which is located in South Sacramento, grew by over 1400 students from Fall 2006 to Fall 2007. This article highlights CRC's new Freshman Seminar Program, part of the College's Educational Initiatives, designed to address the high dropout rates of 18-20 year old students, as well as African American and Latino males.
By Sharon Padilla-Alvarado
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