The Two Doors to the Community College Presidency

Abstract

This experience-based analysis of applying for, interviewing for, and attaining the community college presidency focuses on whether an applicant is an inside candidate (from the institution advertising the vacancy) or an outside candidate (from a different institution). Drawing upon personal experience as a candidate from both perspectives, the author defines issues to be considered at each stage of the process, from deciding to apply through interviewing and the selection process. A new president's experiences through the initial period of discovery that follows attaining the presidency also are described with special attention paid to different issues that arise in dealing with the media from both insider and outsider viewpoints. The author concludes with some suggestions for candidates and board members about handling press relations.