Expanding the Leadership Pipeline in Community Colleges: Fostering Racial Equity

Abstract

Community colleges have more racial diversity in leadership positions of all institutional types, but equal representation in leadership still remains elusive. Top positions remain stubbornly filled by Whites and men, and those in the pipeline indicate scant interest in pursuing top leadership positions. Changing access to the leadership pipeline and the traditional ways leaders have been identified and developed provides a critical step in fostering racial equity in community college leadership. New visions of leadership require questioning who can be considered for leadership and where leadership occurs. Institutional policies can help create a climate that fosters more diverse leadership and addresses structural barriers. Development of mid-level leaders and changing norms that control access to leadership development provide leverage for change. Real change can occur with focused efforts and questioning of historical norms of leadership.