Welcome to Executive Leadership Associates!

Moving from Vice President to President is not a promotion; it is a CAREER CHANGE. How are you preparing yourself for this career?

Teaching and Learning are the core processes of any college.  How are you contributing to the success of these processes?

Workforce development is how your college adds value to your community? How are you involved in supporting business and industry and building a strong workforce base?

Community college students often see the Open Door as a revolving door.  How are you supporting recruitment, retention, and completion?

All communities see THEIR community college as a major asset. How are you representing your college in your community?

Colleges are organized in "silos" despite efforts to break down the walls.  Therefore, candidates who have demonstrated the ability to work collaboratively across lines are the strongest. 

Although both are involved with teaching and learning, education leaders on the academic side have a very different job than leaders on the economic development side.  Candidates who demonstrate tangible evidence of their understanding of both roles are best prepared to step into a leadership role that spans both.

Not very long ago the most direct pathway to the presidency was through the academic side of the college.  Today, however, Boards are looking strongly at candidates from Student Services and College Operations as well. This makes it more essential than ever for an aspiring president to understand the challenges of a rule-bound unit such as PELL and Financial Aid, the difficulty of scheduling thousands of students into hundreds of course sections in multiple locations, and in keeping the college secure and the employees paid.

Student success is the responsibility of every employee of the college.  Candidates who look at the college wholistically, and can speak convincingly of the interrelationship between all departments and services, and how they help or hinder student success, are best prepared to step into the president role and unify the campus around a common goal.

Student Focus -- Constantly and consistently addressing recruitment, retention and completion.

People Focus -- Engages with employees; creates a positive work environment.

Community Focus -- High civic engagement, personally and in presidential role.

Quality Focus -- Uses data for continuous improvement.

Campus Focus -- Is visible on campus and at centers; ensures facilities are safe, secure AND welcoming.

Future Focus -- Articulates a constant vision; thinks strategically.

Fiscal Focus -- Budgets and expenditures reflect the needs of the college in its strategic plan.

Resource Focus -- Raises friends and private funds to support students and college initiatives.

Equity Focus -- Is committed to diversity throughout the college and service area.