Under the direction of the Chancellor, the President serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the college, overseeing the academic and student services functions for the college, ensures sound fiscal and facilities management, and implements statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures in consideration of the mission of the district and college.
Representative Duties
Plan and develop the overall academic direction for the college in conjunction with the Chancellor; plan and recommend the instructional and student services programs, college budget, and the organizational structure of the college; collaborate with district and college staff with regard to the strategic planning of short and long range goals and objectives, management of facilities, policy development, and resource allocation.
Administer the overall development, evaluation, and improvement of the college curriculum and student services programs, services, and activities based on effective research and analysis; oversee the collaboration of instructional and student services managers to provide and enhance a student-centered model of education.
Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the activities of the college pursuant to the mission of the district and college and the goals and objectives as set forth by the Board of Trustees; report on college achievement of district and college goals.
Provide leadership for sound fiscal planning in the development and management of the institution’s budget and externally-funded initiatives; plan resource allocations for facilities, equipment, and technologies that support the mission and goals of the college and district.
Conduct administrative staff meetings and councils; provide guidance to and receive advice from faculty organizations on matters relating to the instructional and student services programs and staff.
Establish and facilitate communication between the college, students, communities, businesses, and district; provide leadership for the development of outreach activities and partnerships that strengthen college viability; represent the college at meetings of the Board of Trustees, district cabinet, district planning activities in the community, and as appropriate at regional, state, and national conferences; ensure the visibility of the college within the community by promoting its accomplishments and developing appropriate marketing strategies.
Recommend the selection, retention, promotion, and termination of college personnel; provide staffing recommendations in compliance with equal employment opportunity principles and guidelines; lead and coordinate innovative efforts for staff development and the improvement of instructional and student services programs.
Coordinate projects and activities related to program and college accreditation, articulation, and matriculation.
Provide for the safety of students, staff, and the general public at the college; support the implementation of safety training programs and services for students and staff; oversee college facilities to ensure they are functional, energy-efficient, and safe.
Work cooperatively with the Academic and Classified Senates and Associated Students through a participatory governance process.
Make recommendations and decisions regarding curricula and courses in consideration of input from the Academic Senate and college management; involve staff in the development and continuous appraisal of the general philosophy and specific objectives of the college; coordinate a system of evaluation that appraises the effectiveness of programs and personnel.
Encourage development of a campus climate that will motivate students and staff.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a master’s degree and one year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrator’s administrative assignment.
Ideal Characteristics
- Full awareness of and deep commitment to the mission of California community colleges in improving the quality of life and the economic well-being of the communities they serve
- View of diversity in all its forms as an institutional value, including meeting the needs of underserved student and community populations, experience with programs and organizations addressing the needs of the underrepresented in higher education, and seeking diversity in employment at all levels
- Student-centered approach to leadership and decision making to maximize a richly diverse population of students’ ability to access the College’s programs and services; be successful in their learning, both in and outside of the classroom; and achieve their educational goals, including completion of certificates and degrees and transfer to baccalaureate level institutions
- Leadership of continuous improvement in various forms of institutional effectiveness that is grounded in:
- a strong sense of teamwork and buy-in throughout the College;
- development of a clear vision with the College and an urgency to enthusiastically pursue it;
- effective and integrated planning at all levels driving resource allocation decisions;
- teaching and learning as central to the college mission;
- on-going development of programs and services and innovative methods of delivery;
- cultivation of a culture that values on-going assessment of student learning and other institutional outcomes;
- data-driven decision making; and
- overall, creative and innovative management of change
- Strong commitment to participatory governance, including effective use of collegial consultation in achieving institutional goals and objectives as well as recognition of the contribution of faculty and other constituent groups in the decision making process, as provided by AB 1725 and modern leadership practices
- Understanding of the California collective bargaining environment and the importance of working effectively with employee groups
- Effective interpersonal and group communication skills in working with individuals and constituent groups as stakeholders in an open, sensitive, and transparent way, both on and off campus; writing and technology skills appropriate for the position
- High standards of ethics and integrity in all behavior, relationships, and decision making; expectation of accountability in oneself and in others
- Proven ability to effectively manage and utilize fiscal, human, and physical institutional resources, with a commitment to long-term financial and operational stability
- Courage and sophistication to lead in a dynamic institutional environment—i.e., to be action and results oriented, take appropriate risks, address issues and challenges, build consensus, and resolve conflicts, while inspiring trust and confidence by serving others
- Experience in cultivating and maintaining effective external relationships in support of student learning and success, through any one of the following strategies:
- an active presence of leadership at the College and in the community, as well as an active presence of the community on the College campus;
- advocacy for and support of the college—locally, regionally, and statewide;
- resource development (College Foundation, pursuit of grant funding, and other entrepreneurial initiatives, etc.);
- partnerships with regional educational institutions, government, public agencies, and business/industry, in advancing the interests of the college and its students;
- pursuit of a leadership role for the College in up-to-date educational practices (e.g., enrollment management, use of technology, etc.) and recognition of the College for outstanding institutional outcomes; and
- general representation and protection of the College/District at all levels
- Understanding of leadership in a multi-college setting, including an ability to collaborate with other members of the Chancellor’s team in uniting the colleges to pursue the mission and goals of the District and its Board of Trustees
- Understanding of the role of a president within related authority structures, including, local, state, federal, and regional accreditation.